Applications open to build supported accommodation for people with disability

Organisations are today being encouraged to apply for funding under the Australian Government’s $60 million Supported Accommodation Innovation Fund.

For the first time, community organisations will be able to apply directly for capital funding from the Australian Government for supported accommodation.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, said the new initiative would deliver up to 150 innovative, community-based supported accommodation places.

“We know that people with disability are crying out for more accommodation options – for example, many ageing carers face uncertainty about what will happen to their children when they are no longer able to care for them,” Senator McLucas said.

“This Fund is about encouraging innovation and driving change in the way supported accommodation services are provided.“

“Community organisations are uniquely placed to develop accommodation options that capitalise on local support and resources, and meet the needs of people with disability in an inventive way.”

“We’re getting on with the job of expanding the supported accommodation options available to people now, as well as undertaking work to build the foundations for a National Disability Insurance Scheme in the future,” Senator McLucas said.

Senator McLucas said proposals needed to support people with severe and profound disability to live as independently as possible within the community.

“We want to see people with disability have access to a range of supported accommodation models that will allow them to participate as valued members of their communities.”

She said projects could include renovations to existing homes, pooled resources to build contemporary accommodation services close to community and health services, or the modification of established accommodation within the community.

Funding for the Supported Accommodation Innovation Fund is in addition to $7.6 billion being provided to state and territory governments through the National Disability Agreement to deliver increased and improved specialist disability services, such as supported accommodation, targeted support and respite.

The Supported Accommodation Innovation Fund builds on the Australian Government’s $100 million capital injection in 2008 to build over 300 supported accommodation places, which are on track to be delivered by 2012.

For more information on the Supported Accommodation Innovation Fund, including applications forms, visit www.saif.govspace.gov.au or Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website, www.fahcsia.gov.au.

Applications open on Monday 5 September 2011 and will close on Friday 20 January 2012.