New heritage character homes to increase housing options for people with disability

SDA housing is designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high supports needs. Dwellings are designed to have accessible features to support residents to live more independently and to facilitate the safe delivery of their supports. More importantly, SDA is providing more choices to people with disability to live in new housing that helps to support their living goals.

Jacquie Thomson, Chief Executive Officer of Western Australian service provider Ability WA, says that for too long, people with disability have had little or no choice about where and how they live.

“Living options for people with disability often meant living in a poorly designed house, living with family members who are no longer able to provide support, living in residential aged care or hospital, or living in a large group home,” she says.

“There is growing awareness that these options are inadequate and outdated and do not reflect our shared values and aspirations as a community.”

Ability WA is collaborating with SDA provider partner Ability First Australia Community Housing Ltd and leading local property developer Hesperia to develop five two-bedroom SDA apartments at the state heritage-listed Victoria House redevelopment in Shenton Park, Perth.

Ms Thomson says the apartments’ location, style and contemporary design are all unique features that would not have been offered to people with disability before the NDIS.

“These Victoria House apartments are stunning. The team at Hesperia have brought beautiful Perth heritage buildings back to life in spectacular fashion, and we’re delighted to bring this amazing opportunity to our customers,” she says.

Ability WA’s Community Services General Manager Sue Theunissen says the opportunities for eligible people with disability to live in a great neighbourhood and home were quickly becoming a reality thanks to SDA.

“Clever contemporary design enables people with disability to reach their goals and live a full life,” she says.

“We’re excited to bring our expertise in home and living support services together with premium, quality builders who provide beautiful and modern homes tailored to each person’s individual needs.

“Our support services are designed in collaboration with people with disability, informed and guided by their lifestyle needs and preferences, and vision for how they want to live.”

Each SDA apartment features spacious and connected living areas, with a large accessible balcony with views over the precinct and Shenton Park.

Residents will enjoy contemporary living spaces inside the SDA apartments inspired by and complementary to Victoria House’s heritage character. Communal areas include open and private amenities such as a residents’ lounge, an alfresco with a barbecue, a wine room and a productive garden.

Creating SDA that is stylish and connected to the community is important to Ability WA, Ms Thomson says, as people who require support at home deserve to have the same choices in housing that suits their interests as every other Australian.

The latest accessible technology has also been integrated into the Victoria House apartments, meeting strict SDA design requirements to make life easier for residents and support workers.

“Each home is built to meet strict SDA standards to create homes that empower the people living in them,” Ms Thomson says.

“It’s our role at Ability WA to help our customers achieve their goals. We embrace the latest technology, contemporary functional design and aesthetics to enrich our customers’ lives.”

Community-focused amenities in Victoria House will include an allied health provider and a full-service, alfresco-style dining venue by North Street Store.

Victoria House, built in 1938, is also within walking distance of specialty retail, grocery shopping and hospitality venues of the new Montario Quarter urban village and is surrounded by native bushland for the enjoyment of residents.

Residents of the SDA will be able to choose to access Ability WA’s team of nurses and therapists, as well as community participation services, equipment solutions and social enterprise services.

Ability WA will collaborate with SDA provider partner Ability First Australia Community Housing Ltd and leading local property developer Hesperia for the new apartments, which are part of a $75 million housing development at the site.

For more information about the development at Victoria House or the Home and Living supports offered by Ability WA, call 1300 106 106 or visit abilitywasda.com.au.