Landcom, the property development arm for the NSW government, has formed a relationship with Eurella Community Services (Eurella).
The partnership has resulted in construction recently starting on a group home for Eurella in Abottsford, located in the inner-west region of Sydney – New South Wales.
A specialist project team has been established by Landcom to deliver community housing following its relationships with The Department of Human Services – Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADAC) and Housing NSW.
These relationships have already delivered over 28 projects with several others in the pipeline.
Landcom’s director, sustainability and policy, Steve Driscoll, said, the not-for-profit sector relies primarily on government grants to fund its housing needs.
“These organisations often struggle to find accommodation that meets the needs of their diverse client base,” he said.
According Mr Driscoll, Landcom’s universal housing guidelines influence the design of homes, ensuring they are practical and flexible and meet the specific needs and abilities of people of different ages and abilities over time.
Landcom’s universal housing guidelines have provided a foundation for the design of the Eurella group home.
“In our experience, the healthiest communities are those that integrate people from all walks of life to create a culturally and socially diverse community,” he said.
“The universal housing guidelines provide a platform for integration within a common environment.”
Eurella Community Services’ employee, John Sim said a team from Eurella had spent considerable time searching for an appropriate site and researching a suitable home design for clients, but with limited success.
After identifying a site, the company then approached Landcom late last year to assist in building and managing the process.
“Landcom confirmed the site’s suitability, designed the home to address our needs and are managing the construction process,” he said.
“Residents often have both physical and intellectual disabilities and range in age from 30 to 50 plus.”
Landcom is seeking to further support the not-for-profit and community housing sectors.
It is currently in discussions with St George Community Housing, Mission Australia Housing and Link Housing to assist them with their specialised accommodation requirements.
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