Ocean Grove residents living with disability have a new purpose-built place to call home, thanks to genU and the Lions Club of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads.
At the official opening on 27 August 2024, residents were excited to step inside their new home for the first time and receive their house keys.
They were joined by family, members of Lions Club of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads and genU staff to celebrate and take a tour.
Libby Coker, Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and Member for Corangamite, also attended.
“I believe that having safe home living arrangements is fundamental to ensuring quality of life for every Australian,” she said.
“People with a disability have the right to a safe living arrangement, even when it is challenging, and that’s why this project is so awesome – two passionate local partners have come together to deliver an awesome outcome for people with disability, their families and carers.”
Andrew gives his new home a ‘thumbs up’
Andrew Brideson has called Ocean Grove home for 15 years and was excited to move into his new house. He will have a larger bedroom, his own ensuite and more privacy due to the building’s design which includes multiple living areas.
Andrew is happy to be close to one of his favourite spots, the Olive Pit. He strolls there most days for a cappuccino or hot chocolate. He has given his new home a thumbs up, saying that looked “new and nice”.
Residents gave input during the design phase of the Specialist Disability Accommodation. It has been built to meet Class Three High Physical Support standards.
With liveability front of mind, the home boasts four separate bedrooms with ensuites. It also offers an additional second living area to cater for family visits.
It features overnight onsite accommodation and an office for a support worker. This allows 24/7 supported independent living for the residents.
SDA project is the result of a shared vision
The genU SDA project cost about $2.345 million, and was made possible because of a $600,000 Lions Club contribution.
“Our financial contribution to the project would not have been possible without the support of the Corless Family who donated land that we used to build on,” said Lions Club of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads president Bob Marmion.
“This in turn allowed the Barwon Grove Foundation, led by Lions Bill Willocks, Howard Deane and John Brady to raise the funds for community housing. When we saw the success of genU’s Tara’s Dream project, we decided that genU was the best vehicle to see our plans come to fruition.”
genU CEO Clare Amies said this latest SDA home was created through a successful partnership.
“We were delighted when the club joined us in this exciting project,” she said.
“They share our passion to build genuinely inclusive communities and help enrich people’s lives.
“Undertaking this project was worth it just to see the look on the residents’ faces when they walked through their new home for the first time.”
SDA key liveability features:
- slip-resistant flooring
- fire sprinklers, fire resistance walls and smoke detection
- fall prevention
- height-adjustable kitchen benches
- ceiling hoists
- shared living areas
- separate ensuites
- solar panels.
Learn more about Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) in Ocean Grove.