A new disability housing options Sub Group established by the Gippsland Carers Association (GCA) was formed recently. The aim of the group is to explore innovative housing options for people with disabilities as a pre-curser to the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) across the region. The NDIS is set to commence
a national roll-out from 1 July 2016 including Gippsland.
The group to be co-chaired by Latrobe City Mayor Dale Harriman, and GCA President Jean Tops, held its first meeting this week at Carers Place in Morwell. Members of the group include family carers and service providers with an interest in supported living options.
The initial briefing meeting tabled several new and innovative housing choices including the Hastings Model, a complex with a group home and several one or two person units in a cluster arrangement on the Mornington Peninsula.
A newly launched two story complex in Brighton SA consisting of 10 houses and 17 apartments was also discussed. This model is supported by a Government Development Planning Amendment from the state government to allow development of further innovative housing options in the area.
Families have expressed concerns that the NDIS will not be funding supported housing options as its planning platform is to broadly fund support services, aids and equipment, through individual support packages (ISP’s).
It will therefore be necessary for families and service providers to become rapidly active in creating and accessing innovative living models if people with disabilities are to have their wishes granted to live within their community of interest with the support services required.
The planning group would like to invite interested service providers, community groups and business investors to join the sup group and/or express their interest in the provision of innovative housing models. The aim is to meet the needs of people with disabilities and their families and to have access to their choices in supported accommodation in Latrobe City and progressively across the region.
To express your interest, or to attend the next meeting of the group please call the association at their offices on Tues/Wed/Thur, 9am – 4.00pm on 5133 3343 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
For further information Contact:
Jean Tops President GCA Inc. on: Mobile 0402 650 375 or 03 5127 904. 25-2-15
