Nearly half of the 27,000 households on the social housing register across Queensland include a person with disability. Meanwhile, according to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), NDIS-registered Specialist Disability Accommodation has lower availability in Mackay compared to other regions.
We believe people with disability have the same right as everyone else to live independently in a suitable and secure home with the people they want to live with, in an area they choose,
In 2022, as part of our $45m My Home, My Life (MHML) initiative, we celebrated four best mates who were handed the keys to their brand new $1.1m home in Mackay.
This year marks the exciting completion of the second and third brand-new fully accessible homes we have built in the region, bringing our total investment in Mackay so far to $3.2m. That means 12 people with disability have somewhere safe to call home to pursue their individual needs and interests.
Based on personal choice, the four people moving into the second home, have chosen to keep their celebrations private. This home was designed with them in mind and includes an independent living unit for one of the housemates who wanted to have support on-hand but have more personal independence.
Last week, we hosted a ‘Welcome Home’ event for Chris Malone – the first housemate moving into the third home. He is excited to settle in and utilise the home’s accessible features, including an automatic adjustable bench, wider doorways for wheelchair accessibility, and non-slip timber vinyl flooring.
“When I saw this house for the very first time today, I was absolutely gobsmacked because it’s so big and so awesome,”
Chris said
I can’t even mention how thankful I am to all the people who have done this.
They’ve put in such hard work with the technology to help people with disability, such as myself and I’m really thankful to them.
Chris is looking forward to finding three suitable people to complete his household and voiced the type of person he’d like to live with during the event.
I want a housemate who loves cats because I really want to get a cat,
Chris said
Or similar interests such as gaming or cooking
The event ended in true MHML fashion – with the planting of a tree to symbolise strength and growth as Chris embarks on a new beginning for him and his housemates who will join him.
Welcome home Chris!
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