Media Release by The Hon Jane Prentice MP

Green light for Orange disability housing

Ground has broken on a new disability housing project in Orange, New South Wales, with support of more than $830,000 from the Australian Government’s $10 million Specialist Disability Accommodation Initiative (SDAI), under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Assistant Minister for Social Services, the Hon Jane Prentice MP, was on site with proponents Housing Plus to turn the first soil on units for four people with a disability who require in-home support.

“I am delighted construction has started for this important project, providing long-term, sustainable housing,” Mrs Prentice said.

“I commend Housing Plus for this important project, which will be completed by May 2018.

“It will provide opportunities for future NDIS participants who are currently living in inappropriate accommodation.

“The building’s innovative design elements will help residents in practical ways, such as home automation technology through tablets and smartphones that allows tenants with limited mobility to close doors and alert staff when needing assistance.

“A full-time carer will also be accommodated on site to assist residents.

“The $2 million project is one of 11 not-for-profit projects the Australian Government has supported through SDAI over the past year.

“The SDAI, through the Sector Development Fund, is part of the Government’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition to the NDIS, ahead of its full rollout by 2020.

“Through it we continue to increase the capacity of people with disability and their families to exercise choice and control and develop new forms of support that best meet their needs.

“Not only do these projects support future residents, there will be flow-on benefits for carers and families, particularly ageing parents who themselves may need to move into care.

“The SDIA has provided ‘top-up’ funding to complete specialist disability accommodation projects, that without additional funds would not be delivered,” Mrs Prentice said.

Details of the 11 SDAI projects follow.

Projects funded through the Specialist Disability Accommodation Initiative

New South Wales

  • Yumaro Inc., Moruya, $816,785 for six independent living units for people with disability.
  • Housing Plus, Orange, $836,318 Construction of a building with four individual units for people with disability.

Victoria

  • Uniting Church of Australia Property Trust, Rosebud, $1 million to construct a new building on Trust land to provide accommodation for eight individuals with disability to live in four two-bedroom units.
  • Active Community Housing Ltd, St Albans, $44,301 to build and manage four specialised one bedroom units for people with disability with a combination of rostered on-site support and 24 hour responsive support services.
  • George Gray Centre Inc., Sale, $1 million to build four houses interconnected by a common personal care area for people with disability.
  • Portland Lighthouse Assoc., Portland, $441,250, to build a home for five people with disability which comprises a four bedroom house with a one bedroom self-contained unit attached.
  • Community Living and Respite Services, Echuca, $350,000 for construct one home supporting four people, and two adjacent independent living units.   

South Australia

  • Julia Farr Housing Assoc., Morphettville, $250,000 for three innovative purpose-built dwellings for people with disability.
  • Uniting Communities, Adelaide, $1 million to convert three floors of commercial space to 15 two bedroom and 6 one bedroom units for long term disability rental.
  • Catholic Care Tasmania, Glenorchy, Claremont and Chigwell, $1 million for specialist group housing of 20 residents with severe disability, including carer facilities.