Supported accommodation for people with a disability in the Inner West has received a boost through Stronger Together, the NSW Government’s 10-year plan to improve disability services in NSW.
NSW Minister for Disability Services Kristina Keneally said that an open tender has been called today to provide two new group homes in Sydney’s Inner West.
“The Iemma Government will invest up to $700,000 to provide two new group homes and a further $600,000 for improved services,” Ms Keneally said.
“These two new group homes will provide supported accommodation for ten people and will enable them to live as independently as possible,” Ms Keneally said.
These group homes follow the closure, of the former Lyndhurst Licensed Residential Centre at Leichhardt.
Of the 33 residents, only 20 now require either group home accommodation support and a community based activity service or in-home accommodation support.
“These two new group homes will allow the residents to continue to live in the same general neighbourhood and maintain their close community links,” Ms Keneally said.
“Providing more supported accommodation in the Inner West will ensure the residents remain connected with friends and family and have the ongoing support groups they need.
“Group homes like these provide supported accommodation in a community setting for people with an intellectual disability who can not live independently or with their family.
“These supported environments also make it easier for people to access the services they need to allow them to participate in the community.
“The New South Wales Government will invest a total of $420 million for group homes and community living this year.
“Over the next five years through the Government’s Stronger Together plan, 990 new supported accommodation places will be funded, which will increase the number of places by 20%.”
Tenders for the group homes have been called today 10 December 2007 and close on 14 January 2008.