Western Downs housing initiative to ‘fill gap’ in accessible living at Dalby

Residents with disabilities will have greater access to accessible living as new concept plans are revealed that will offer increased housing options in the Western Downs during the current property crisis.

Concept designs for Waminda Services housing initiative project. Picture: contributed

New plans have been revealed that will provide more options for accessible living in the Western Downs, as the housing crisis takes hold of everyone including those living with disabilities.

Waminda Services announced earlier this week that they have been working on a project for the past three years that will develop accessible housing for people with disabilities to assist in their bids to secure appropriate accommodation.

General manager Tania Marshall said ‘The Waminda Residential Initiative’ was now at the stage where they could share the concept plans.

“The housing crisis has affected our region and particularly affected our clients,” she said.

“Currently, we have couples without disability both earning a living and unable to get accommodation in Dalby. It is even more difficult for someone with a disability to compete for accommodation, particularly when they need accessible accommodation which is almost non-existent in our region.”

The project, which was originally announced at the Dalby Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Business After Hours event, has been developed in partnership with WD Building Design.

Concept designs for Waminda Services housing initiative project. Picture: contributed

Together they will develop houses for a minimum of 45 people with a disability across nine five-bedroom supported independent living homes and eight independent living units.

“This development is not for short-term stays,” Ms Marshall said.

“It provides a permanent home for our clients who require 24/7 care or those who can live independently in a home with the right accessible features with just a little extra support.”

She said the project would focus on filling the gaps of what was currently unavailable in the region while also “future-proofing” for clients with higher needs.

“Each room will be structurally designed to be able to support the addition of hoists if needed by future residents,” she said.

The Supported Independent Living homes will house up to four residents and an onsite overnight staff member.

The single-bedroom independent units will provide a home for those who need only a little extra support to live independently.

Access to each house and unit will be via ramps and include wide doorways and hallways to assist with access for residents with impaired mobility.

“Waminda currently has clients in five houses within Dalby,” Ms Marshall said.

“Once construction is completed, we will then be able to release those homes to the open market thus easing the housing crisis in our region.”

Originally published as Western Downs housing initiative to ‘fill gap’ in accessible living at Dalby