New Disability accommodation helps meet demand

21 July 2020

21 Jul 2020

Recent times have shown us the importance of having a safe and comfortable home.

VMCH is proud to unveil our newest Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) in Carrum.

Five adults moved from our Highett SDA into the two connected, three-bedroom houses on July 6 and are busy making their new spaces home. The houses – designed under new SDA standards (Improved Liveability category) – provide residents with the opportunity to improve their independent living skills with modern and accessible spaces and equipment, ensuite bathrooms, built-in barbeques and raised vegetable patches.

VMCH CEO Sonya Smart said the new $2.4m development – one of 14 VMCH-owned SDAs – helped to meet demand for a “huge lack of appropriate housing options” for people with disabilities across Victoria.

“Holding community consultations in the lead-up to this development to hear what people with disability actually want and need informed many of our choices at Carrum,” Sonya said. “We will continue to listen to feedback as we build homes that support people’s complex needs so they can live confidently and as independently as possible within the community.”

Resident Jennifer said was “very happy” to move into the house and had chosen the colour pink for her bedroom’s feature wall.

“I’m planning to go buy new furniture for my room with the help of my key worker and team leader. I’m very excited about it.”

Roommate Steven looks forward to displaying his model car and truck collections, and is happy to have a room with a street view and a lovely backyard to relax and enjoy a BBQ in.

Carrum SDA Team Leader Rishmi Rodrigo said the move had gone smoothly and residents were settling in nicely.

“I’m very thankful to VMCH for building us a brand-new house with lot of facilities. When I see smiles on the faces of residents, family members and staff, it makes me feel proud to work with the organisation.”

The development, by BowdenCorp, was made possible largely thanks to the kindness of our supporters including through appeals, trusts and bequests. We thank these individuals for their generosity, time and interest in this life-changing project.

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We here at VMCH respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we gather, and we would like to take a moment to honour the fact that we live on the lands of the oldest civilisation in the world. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.