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Collective effort needed to support specialist housing in Wallan

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The North Central Review
The North Central Reviewhttps://ncreview.com.au/
The North Central Review is an independently owned newspaper publishing company based in Kilmore that is responsible for publishing two community newspapers each week, covering communities within the Mitchell Shire

A Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) house in Wallan is under-occupied as residents are fighting for funding allocation.

SDA Australia owners Andrew Alexander and Luke Randles toured the Wallan property with key stakeholders last month, including National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider genU Chief Executive Clare Amies, Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell, among residents, support workers, and family of potential residents.

The Wallan property opened in 2023, offering a safe environment with state-of-the-art features, including high physical supports, fully accessible individual ensuites, ceiling hoist capacity, adjustable kitchen benchtops, large rooms to accommodate beds and mobility needs, and wheelchair accessible designs.

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The property has capacity for nine residents to live independently in one-bedroom units and two-bedroom villas, but only three people currently call the property home.

One potential resident is fighting for an NDIS funding increase, while another two are following the appeals process to put forward their case for Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding.

genU – a national SIL provider for NDIS participants – has supported three residents into the Wallan property and hopes to assist more in the future.

Ms Amies welcomed the chance to take part in the meeting to support people wanting to call the residence home, and said the SDA Australia property met with genU’s values.

“Helping build inclusive communities and empowering people to reach their full potential is at the core of genU’s purpose,” she said.

Ms Amies said while Federal Government support for the SIL model was positive, it was crucial that barriers to access were not imposed.

“At a time when many people are desperate for housing, we need to ensure accommodation that has been purpose-built for people with disability is not sitting empty,” she said.

Ms Amies thanked Mr Mitchell for his commitment to advocate for people having issues with NDIS funding, including those seeking SIL funding.

“We understand the complexities of the NDIS and are really keen to work with the Government to support the NDIS get to where it wants to be,” she said.

“SIL gives people the dignity and independence they want and the choice they deserve.”

Mr Mitchell commended the standard of accommodation as ‘phenomenal’, and praised how a ‘strong community feel’ had been created at the property.

For enquiries about the Wallan SDA property, please call 1300 558 368, or visit www.genu.org.au and search ‘Specialist Disability Accommodation.’

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