As a youngster he was forced to sleep rough, but having overcome trying circumstances to become a multi-millionaire, Marco Robinson wanted to give something back to the community.
The property developer, worth £25 million ($32.5m), came up with a plan to buy a three-bedroom flat and then give it away for free to someone who was in greater need of a home.
He met with three people: a woman losing her eyesight, a group of Syrian refugees and a teenage mum - with the 'winner' getting to keep the property in Preston, Lancashire.
It turned out all three were winners, as Marco decided to help with each of their living situations, but it was the teenage mum who got the flat which she would share with her baby.
Credit: Channel 4 / Get A House For Free
Holly, 18, was given the home in her own name after showing Marco the mould-covered flat that she shared with her baby.
The process was filmed for Channel 4's Get A House For Free, where Marco explained his move.
"There's so many people who can't afford a house, don't have any money, haven't got a job, through no fault of their own," he said.
"I've dreamt about this for a long time, for years and years, to give somebody something of this magnitude."
Credit: Channel 4 / Get A House For Free
Around 8,000 people applied for the opportunity but three were selected, including Mahmood and his two sons, and partially-sighted Jo.
Mahmood was given a home to live in whilst he and his family waited to be granted asylum, and Jo was given a deposit to buy her own home.
Holly had become pregnant when medication she was taking stopped the contraceptive pill from working.
The flat she was living in had mould on the walls, and no bath where she could properly wash her daughter, Bethany.
Credit: Channel 4 / Get A House For Free
Talking to Holly, Marco said: "I want you and Bethany to have a solid place to live. A home. I want you to get out there and better yourself. You'll be able to go to college. This property is yours, Holly. It's in your name, it's all yours."
The mum-of-one was clearly overwhelmed, and added: "You're going to change my life.
"There's no words for this. I'm so happy not just for my sake but for Bethany so I can give her a future and I can give her stability."
Credit: Channel 4 / Get A House For Free
Prior to the broadcast, Marco had previously explained his route to success after youthful experiences of having to sleep on park benches with his mum.
He said: "I asked for help and I got it from unlikely people. They helped me believe in myself.
"It's been hard work, but I've been successful in business and made a lot of money.
"I started investing profits into property and learned where were the best places to buy.
"Now I want to give something back - to give someone a lucky break like I was given when I was starting out, so that's why I'm giving away one of my properties."
Featured Image Credit: Channel 4