Construction starts on Moreton Bay’s latest specialist disability accommodation for young people
Construction starts on Moreton Bay’s latest specialist disability accommodation for young people
Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher today turned the first sod at Youngcare’s specialist disability accommodation (SDA) development in North Lakes, Brisbane, marking the start of construction.
Minister Fletcher said this new specialist housing will help younger people with disability, aged between 18 and 64, in Moreton Bay move out of aged care and into a home that encourages independence – enabling them to live in their community.
Minister Fletcher said the Morrison Government is taking action to improve housing outcomes for people with disability, with changes to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) SDA rules announced today.
“Across the country, there are around 11,000 people benefiting from this type of accommodation, which supports NDIS participants with an extreme functional impairment or very high care needs,” Mr Fletcher said.
“The Government is removing barriers to SDA funding so that NDIS participants can get SDA included in plans sooner.
“All state and territory governments are now on board with the first tranche of reforms, which will build market confidence and drive stronger investment in SDA, stimulating construction and supply of SDA properties.”
The announcement builds on the Government’s action plan to get younger people with disability out of residential aged care, unveiled last week.
“This innovative new housing development here in North Lakes will provide seven two-bedroom homes that will be fully equipped with state-of-the-art high care technology and tailored to people’s needs.”
Federal Member for Petrie, Luke Howarth welcomed the investment into specialist disability accommodation in the Moreton Bay region.
“Investment in specialist disability accommodation by organisations like Youngcare enables young Australians to live more fulfilling lives.”
Youngcare CEO, Anthony Ryan said, “Every younger person, regardless of their care needs, deserves to choose where they live, who they live with, and how they live their lives.
“This North Lakes development offers seven two-bedroom High Care Housing apartments, a rehabilitation clinic, and retail tenancies on the ground floor.
“Together with the community, Moreton Bay Regional Council and Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane, we are creating real choice and dignity for these young people.”
This specialist housing development is expected to be completed by late 2019.
When the NDIS is fully rolled out, around $700 million in SDA payments will be made each year to support around 28,000 eligible NDIS participants to live in their own homes.
