About UsHOME aims to establish long-term accommodation and assistance for people with significant support needs within, and supported by, an Intentional Community.HOME recognises that social inclusion in the local community is an aspect of life important for all citizens. Its model, based on the Deohaeko Housing Network in Toronto, Canada, brings together people who desire a higher level of community interaction. It engages this sense of community spirit and connectedness to provide an enriching environment, not only for the people with a disability and older people, but for all its residents. Unlike most disability and aged care housing models, where people with significant support needs are housed together and separate from society, this one is based on inclusion and connectedness both within the housing complex and with the wider community. By bringing together inner-city residents from a wide range of socio-economic groups, needs and situations who seek to break the pattern of anonymous urban living, it forms a community where interaction with neighbours in the housing complex is the norm. This provides informal support for each other. HOME is based on a set of beliefs all of which are grounded in a fundamental value that social inclusion is central to people’s lives and their ability to realise their potential. HOME believesThat people including those with a disability will:
The current situationCurrently people with a disability have to be in some form of housing crisis to qualify for funded housing or provide it themselves. HOME and UnitingCare NSW.ACT are dedicated to promoting innovation and flexibility to respond to changing needs. The HOME Intentional Community model includes people with a disability and responds to the changing support needs of residents thus helping to create independence. This differs from the current supported accommodation model in which the resident lives in a group home or aged care facility and care is provided to all residents 24 hours per day regardless of need. This model does not account for individual preferences and abilities and promotes dependence as well as being very costly to government. HOME ProposalHOME will be a purpose built facility comprised of a two to three storey apartment block consisting of up to 40-50 dwellings accommodating 80-100 people. It will include some of the following: prfessionally run community centre/ cafe, court yard garden with BBQ facilities and other shared facilities. These facilities will provide leisure activities as well as training and job opportunities for residents. These services will also attract the wider community to engage with the Intentional Community. At least one apartment will be designated for use by support personnel. A percentage of dwellings (up to 15%) will be available for people with intellectual and/ or physical disabilities. The formal support provided by HOME and UnitingCare NSW.ACT will be for people who make up part of this 15% and who meet the criteria of the Disability Services Act. The disabilities will include Down Syndrome, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, Autism Spectrum Disorder and co-morbid psychiatric conditions. The level of support needs will range from low to high. Ideally, the HOME facility will be built in Sydney’s Inner-West, within walking distance of commercial/ community facilities. The land will preferably be a vacant/ available site, zoned residential/ commercial that can be modified to meet the needs of the HOME concept. The facility will be within walking distance of community services including public transport, shopping facilities, libraries, health services, recreational and educational facilities. There will be a mixture of one, two and three bedroom apartments with equal access for people with various disabilities (Australian Standard AS 1428.1 –2001 – Design for access and mobility) – including a lift. In keeping with the HOME philosophy, the building will be environmentally sustainable. Social ImpactHOME is an innovative model that addresses the concerns of housing, aged care and housing for people with disabilities and mental illness. HOME is a community, strengths based model and involves establishing a residence where people are actively encouraged to support each other and link with the wider community. This will create a place that adds considerable social value to all the partnerships involved and the wider community HOME is committed to inviting, welcoming and sustaining a high level of community inclusion, participation, connectedness and friendship. This will make caring for one another a natural part of life in both the intentional and wider community. By discovering and nurturing everyone’s strengths, a strong community will evolve. The dignity, uniqueness, freedom and participation of each individual will be honoured and facilitated in a natural, neighbourly fashion and the intentional community will be seen as a preferred place to live. |