Ms Smith, 53, and Kate, 15, are homeless having escaped from years of domestic violence in their home in Queensland.

They fled to NSW to restart their lives but could only find temporary accommodation.

Now Mr Clayton, along with Richardson and Wrench agent Steve Chapman and Frontier Law Group solicitor Thomas Feerick, have united to find them a proper home.

Mr Clayton said he was listening to the radio, where callers were commenting on illegal immigrants, funds spent on other countries and the cost of detention centres, before coming across the article.

``The article gave rise to all sorts of emotions such as `Why in God's name can we spend millions on others yet not look after our own?','' he said. ``Are we so busy working to make a dollar we have no social conscience? Two of us met these lovely people and were saddened to hear their story. The mother was quick to admit she had made mistakes and the daughter was polite, well-spoken, a lovely girl.

``They're living in a local refuge run by a charity and as a last resort were living in a three-metre by three-metre room and shared a bathroom and kitchen with seven other families.''

Ms Smith said after Kate's interview with the Advertiser she wrote a list of her goals which included completing school and TAFE studies.

``I'm so grateful for people like Albert, Steve and Thomas,'' she said. ``I can't believe there are people out there who would do that for us. [Kate] is over the moon. She's such a good kid and I feel sad she missed out on so many things that other kids have, like a computer, but this is really giving her hope.''

The businessmen have found a property through Richardson and Wrench Campbelltown and Mr Feerick has agreed to rent it on behalf of the Smiths. He will provide a computer and software for Kate while a client will provide uniforms.

Their next step is to put Kate into a local school.

Details, donations: Thomas Feerick, Frontier Law Group, t.feerick @frontierlaw.com.au or 46204422.