Construction has started on a new specialist home for four Ocean Grove residents living with a disability.
Residents Andy, Chris and Ian have lived in an adjacent property in Ocean Grove together for several years and will welcome another housemate when they move into the completed home.
Andy said they had been involved in the design of their new home, which is expected to be completed and ready for the residents to move in by the middle of September this year.
“(The design looks) lovely and comfortable. (It is very) exciting and (I’m looking forward to) moving in,” he said.
The home will be built to a Class Three High Physical Support design standard with an estimated cost of $2.345 million, funded by genU and the Lions Club of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads.
genU chief executive Clare Amies said the project would allow the residents to live and age in their homes and communities.
“People living with disability need to be able to go about their daily life without having to give thought to what may impede their access to their community,” she said.
“Having access to appropriate housing and supports enables the residents to live within their home and local community with confidence, ease and self-respect.”
The fully accessible four-bedroom home would include technology improvements to better support clients, improve liveability, and provide 24/7 supported independent living.
The home would also feature home automation, fall prevention, height-adjustable kitchen benches, a solar system, overnight onsite accommodation and an office for a support worker.
The Lions Club of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads representative Graham Mulroney said the club contributed $600,000 to the project, which had been raised by 2022.
“Fundraising for this project commenced in 2011 with a generous donation to the Lions Club by the Corless family,” he said.
“The commencement of building for this project is the culmination of the Club’s passion to provide accommodation services for those in need and its community fundraising efforts.”
BDH Construction will manage the project and said it will work with local trades as much as possible.
