Local people with disability will be able to live more independently in their community thanks to two new disability housing projects in Crows Nest.
Churches of Christ received funding totalling almost $1.2 million from the Palaszczuk Government for the two local projects – one four bedroom house and a duplex complex of four units.
Minister O’Rourke today (3 October) officially opened the Elderly Parent Carer Innovation Initiative at Thallon St which will accommodate two people with a disability who have ageing parent carers.
"This project will consist of two duplexes, each containing a one and two bedroom unit," Mrs O’Rourke said.
"This project will provide peace of mind to ageing parents knowing that as their son or daughter with disability ages and their needs change, they will continue to be supported to live independently.
"It has been funded by our Elderly Parent Carer Innovation Initiative which aims to address a shortfall in appropriate accommodation for people with disability living with ageing parents who can no longer care for them.
"It’s also about giving people with disability the opportunity to live more independently within their communities by providing purpose-built supported accommodation."
Mrs O’Rourke said the second project, a four bedroom house located in Lee Court, would accommodate three local residents with disability and an overnight carer.
"This project will help people with disability under the age of 65 and with high physical support needs to move out of residential aged care or hospital facilities," she said.
"Through assistive technology, residents will be able to control lights, blinds, air-conditioning and open and close doors all from an application on their smart phone or tablet, giving them increased independence."
This project has been funded under the Palaszczuk Government’s Accommodaton for People with Disability in Residential Aged Care or Public Health Facility (APIRAC) program.
This program provides housing for people with a disability who are residing in, or at risk of residing in, residential aged care or who are long-stay patients in public health facilities.
Mrs O’Rourke said the Palaszczuk Government was proud to work with organisations like Churches of Christ to enable people with disability to move to community housing – particularly in regional areas of the state.
Churches of Christ Housing Services General Manager Frances Paterson-Fleider said she is thrilled to be able to offer the new accommodation for elderly parents and their adult family member with a disability in the Crows Nest community.
"We are proud to have worked in partnership with the Queensland Government to help people with disability and their parents to secure appropriate housing to meet their needs," she said.
"It will provide elderly parents carers with a real sense of security and hope for the future because they will see suitable and stable accommodation provided for their loved one with a disability. As the population ages, we are going to see more families in this situation who need assistance."
The Crows Nest area began transitioning to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in January 2017.
"The NDIS is about providing people with more choices in how they find and receive the services they need," Mrs O’Rourke said.
"This project is a great example of how that concept can be put into practice on the ground."
