Innovative Housing Investment Offers Returns
A high-quality apartment development for about 1,200 people close to the Sydney CBD isn’t innovation. The innovation is when that development also provides high-level support to 36 people with disability. As well as physically accessible design, the location of the estate and its proximity to the local community, essential services and public transport are keys to its role in supporting inclusion for all residents.
The development is the result of the sale of Crowle Home and its surrounding land by Achieve Australia – a disability service provider – to development company Deicorp.
There are accessible communal open spaces, wide walkways and doorways. And the access to and views across green parklands and the waterways of the Parramatta River make for a strong, inclusive community atmosphere.
“I love it,” says supported resident, Helen. “You get to meet a lot of people. One of my sisters is coming after lunch, so we can go out in the garden. I get to go places, which I didn't do much when I was living on my own.”
Let’s Keep Building, Researching and Thinking
Providing support in a high-density setting is different from providing support in a suburban group home. The Crowle development provides a tangible opportunity to further explore settings and support structures.
Site complexity. Staff work across several apartments with a separate office so the home is clearly a home, rather than a home and a workplace.
Emergency evacuation. Additional communication is in place to explain differences and reasons behind protocols.
Active support – getting outside. Enabling ventures outside to shared garden areas on a regular basis, and exploring the role the balcony can play in outside experiences.
Social connection and inclusion. Inclusion and social connection supported on a large high-density site for all residents and their friends and families.
Evidence-base checklist
Housing needs to be about homes, and support about service
People with disability are decision makers in their homes.
Providers of housing services centre people with disability in their focus
Funding solutions need to be sustainable
Funding sources and systems that give people with disability more autonomy and choice
Build demand-driven housing and service design
Consult deeply with people with disability
Develop innovative codesigned housing and support models
Promote and integrate new models
Build a solid evidence base
What works, for who, and how does it work
New research to address knowledge gaps
Build alliances and develop partnerships to drive change
Representation – DPOs, DROs, advocacy
Regulators, government
Suppliers, developers, funders
