Open Day for new specialist accomodation site

DISABILITY service providers will provide a teaser of a new accommodation site this weekend, which will deliver a much-needed service upgrade in Geelong.

Emerge Living is building its Highton Green project, which will create 12 apartments of specialist disability accommodation (SDA) within an overall residential development.

Disability services provider genU will work alongside Emerge to provide supports to the participants in the SDA apartments.

SDA is housing designed for people with extreme functional impairment and very high support needs, with accessible features that help residents live more independently while maintaining access for important supports.

Highton Green will have an open day of its construction site on Saturday, for the organisations to show attendees its project coming to life.

Organisers have invited people living with disabilities, carers and families who are interested in housing options available in Geelong.

Disability support organisations say the new facility will fill an important gap in Geelong for the crucial services.

Emerge Living general manager Mark Hudson said the new Highton complex will make life much easier for dozens of people with disabilities living in the region.

“We want to empower people through providing greater understanding and access to leading specialist disability accommodation and this open day event aims to showcase the options that are available,” he said.

GenU executive manager Natasha Williams said she hoped the open day would encourage more people to take their steps toward independent living.

“We are trying to provide the most contemporary, most innovative homes for people with a disability in the broader Geelong and Surf Coast regions,” she said.

“That’s why Emerge Living and genU want to create these housing opportunities so that people with disability are empowered.”

The open day begins at 10.45am Saturday at Highton Green’s site at Pigdons Road, Highton.

The event will include a barbecue lunch, site tours and an afternoon tea, while Emerge Living and genU representatives will be available to speak to guests about the services available and how to apply.

Registration for the event is required by emailing [email protected] or calling 1300 103 050.

genU can provide more information about disability accommodation options at [email protected] or 1300 558 368.