A new disability support organisation is hoping to roll out 500 affordable two-bedroom units to plug a perceived gap in accommodation availability for people with disability who wish to live independently.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Supported Affordable Accommodation Trust (SAAT) on Monday unveiled its first prototype which will be used at a development in Glenorchy.
The unit was designed by businessman Bob Gordon who was inspired by his own difficulty to get suitable supported accommodation for his son.
The initial building will be leased to Mosaic Support Services who will sublet to people with a disability, supported by funding through their National Disability Insurance Scheme support plan.
Supported Affordable Accommodation Trust spokesman Ralph Doedens said there were plans to see nine units placed in Launceston and 12 in Devonport in the future.
He said more would be spread throughout the state, dependent on private investor interest and land availability. Mr Doedens said the affordable nature of unit construction meant there were low costs involved for NDIS participants and a guaranteed return for investors.
"This is a scheme that generates an income for private investors and provides suitable housing and support for people who want to live independently,” Mr Doedens said.
He said there was a high demand for the independent living units because increasing numbers of people joining the NDIS had not kept up with new construction of appropriate housing.
With 11,500 Tasmanians expected to be on the scheme by the end of next year, he said SAAT estimated there was the need for 500 two-bedroom units.
