Albury housing project to provide purpose-built homes for locals living with disability

A new housing project to support community members living with a disability is set to start construction in Albury soon.

Registered specialist disability accommodation provider Good Housing said its River Gum project would see three one-bedroom villas with adjoining assistant rooms built in Lavington for five earmarked tenants.

Its co-founder Antony Anisse said construction would start in the third quarter of the year, with an expected completion date by mid-2023.

He said demand data had identified 116 residents in need of specialised disability accommodation (SDA) across the Albury region.

"There are 100 [people living] in [a] SDA dwelling. There's 12 who are in SDA dwellings who are seeking an alternative and there's another four who are not currently in SDA who are seeking a dwelling," Mr Anisse said. 

Mr Anisse said the homes would support individuals who lived with a severe intellectual or physical disability with very high support needs.

"[The individuals] need to move out of a nursing home, an aged care facility, a hospital, an old group home or living with ageing parents," he said.

"To move into new specialist and purpose-built disability accommodation."

Important to maintain community connection

Disability support provider Northcott has partnered with Good Housing on the project and will provide assistance to the project's five tenants.

Its Chief Operating Officer Andrew Kew says the new villas will join their existing nine local homes and 37 clients.

"There'll be another five clients for this specific location [but] also it creates employment in the local area," he said.

Mr Kew says it is important to provide housing that meets the needs of clients.

"The aim is to provide designed housing in that local area so our customers can be well supported and remain part of the local community," he said.

"Where maybe family members form other connections so they feel valued and part of the community."

Albury MP Justin Clancy said the housing project was a welcome addition to the community.

"There has been increasing pressure on our housing in Albury and across the region and it is vital that those living with disability can find a suitable home here in their community," he said.  

Source: ABC