Disability housing open for tenants

JUST over twelve months since the sod was turned on a specialist disability accommodation project in North Bendigo, two units are now ready to provide affordable and accessible housing for people living with disabilities.

In 2015, a five-acre lot that homed the Amicus Community Services’ offices was sold by the not-for-profit organisation as they moved their operations to the Bendigo CBD.

The profits from the sale were put into establishing the two units that have been built with accessibility features and physical support systems in place.

Acting CEO of Amicus, Melissa Zera, said the next step is the application process to get people on NDIS support living in the homes.

“It’s a really proud moment and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact it’ll have possibly for people who will live in these two units,” she said.

“We’re really excited for applications to open and to see who might move into these homes. It might give somebody the opportunity to leave hospital, it might be an opportunity for somebody to move out of aged care, to use their supports different and live a more independent life.”

The first unit is a high physical support home, built with technology features, such as lifts, and automation that can be customised for the tenant’s needs.

The second is an improved liveability home, for tenants who do not need full modifications, but can benefit from wider corridors and doors and easier-to-access appliances.

Acting COO of Haven; Home, Safe, Rachel Gellatly said the unique project proves it’s possible to build affordable housing at a time when not much land is available.

“It shows that it can be done,” she said. “It takes partnerships and drive, the environment hasn’t been that welcoming over the past few years so it takes perseverance.

“But it can happen and the mechanisms are out there it’s just about getting those moving parts together.

“There’s a significant under supply of affordable housing for a variety of cohorts, but specifically disability housing.”

According to Ms Gellatly, there are about 30 people on the register for support disability accommodation.

With the two new units, Haven now currently owns and manages 15 SDA properties.

Amicus will work alongside ActiveSDA, a service of Haven, to get suitable tenants into the homes.