Local adults with disability and their elderly parents in Gordonvale will have access to better living arrangements, thanks to $1.55 million housing project announced today.
Disability Services Minister and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke announced that St Johns Community Care and the State Government would partner in the Gordonvale project, which will change the lives of nine local families.
“St Johns Community Care has received $1 million in capital funding and will contribute $550,000 towards the three, four-bedroom homes,” said Mrs O’Rourke, who is also Minister for Seniors.
“The new accommodation will give elderly parent carers greater certainty and a sense of security for when they can no longer care for their adult son or daughter with a disability at home.”
Treasurer and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt welcomed the project, which will create three construction jobs.
“As a former Disability Services Minister, I am keenly aware that a secure future is what concerns many elderly parents of adults with disability,” he said.
“Long-term sustainable housing options are a win-win for adults with disability and their elderly parents – it’s about providing a secure future.”
St John’s Community Care chairperson Theo Bacalakis said he was delighted the project had been given the green light.
“This initiative will build on the success of the Young Lifestyle facility which accommodates up to 20 residents who would otherwise be at risk of entering an aged care facility,” he said.
The houses will have assistive technologies such as personal response systems to assist with independent living. Tenants will also have access to a range of services on site as well as a therapy pool and sensory garden.
The project is part of the three-year Elderly Parent Carer Innovation Trial. Eight projects are already underway state wide under the trial.
Mrs O’Rourke said Queensland’s ageing population meant that increasing numbers of elderly parent carers with adult sons and daughters with disability were looking for future security.
“Having choice and control about where and how adults with disability want to live is in line with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which is due to roll out in Queensland from July 2016,” she said.
For more information about NDIS, disability support and services, including the Elderly Parent Carer Innovation Trial, visit www.disability.qld.gov.au.
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