Events: Good Housing unveils Wattle in Warragul

Good News: Good Housing has officially unveiled its first home in Victoria: Wattle, Warragul!

On Thursday 21st September 2023, Good Housing launched its first project in Regional Victoria, in collaboration with not-for-profit Disability Support Provider, Scope. Guests included future Warragul tenants and their family members, Good Housing Co-Founders Sam Graiche and Antony Anisse, Scope CEO Kate McRae and Mayor of Baw Baw, Annemarie McCabe.

A first of its kind project for the Baw Baw region, our new home 'Wattle' marks a crucial step forward in supporting the specific needs of people with disability in Warragul and beyond.

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Wattle’ will provide a unique, modern, and purpose-built set-up for individuals with disability and high-level support needs, while fostering tenant independence, comfort, and security. The project comprises two one-bedroom independent villas, as well as two adjoining 3-resident houses, with shared communal areas for tenant interaction, and additional on-site carer’s rooms.

Each dwelling features open plan living, spacious and accessible kitchens and dining areas, thoughtfully designed bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and both private and shared outdoor areas. Home interiors, finishings and colour palettes have been carefully styled and curated by interior designers, and all spaces are fully wheelchair accessible with wide corridors and no steps.

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In addition, all dwellings are assistive technology ready, incorporating features such as environmental controls (e.g., automated lighting and split system temperature control), electronically controlled doors, and touch sensors).

Wattle comprises both independent spaces and shared indoor and outdoor spaces, designed to enhance social cohesion while supporting tenant privacy. While Wattle has been designed to encourage participant independence, residents will have access to ongoing support with on-site carers and adjoining carer’s rooms for 24-hour care. All tenants will receive tailored support from designated Supported Independent Living (SIL) provider, Scope.

One of the largest not-for-profit disability service providers in Australia, Scope supports thousands of people with complex intellectual, physical, and multiple disabilities.

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Good Housing selected Warragul in Regional Victoria as its latest home location after completing properties in Sydney’s Upper North Shore and Northern Beaches. In collaboration with Scope, this decision was informed by SDA demand data and feedback from the Support

Provider network, which showcased an increased demand for specialist disability accommodation in the Warragul region. “Warragul is a brilliant example of Good Housing's commitment to its mission to empower extraordinary lives through disability housing,” shares Good Housing Co-Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer, Antony Anisse. “We’ve now ventured beyond NSW to collaborate with Scope in Victoria on the creation of a new, beautiful home that will radically improve the quality of life for our tenants”.

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This project marks a crucial step forward in Good Housing’s mission to deliver real and measured positive impact for people with disability, while empowering independence, accessibility, and inclusivity through SDA housing.

“Good Housing creates smart and healthy homes to support the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of our tenants,” Anisse adds. “We’re passionately committed to the ongoing pursuit of quality and our unique purposefully built homes foster independence, inclusivity, and peace of mind for all”.

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Wattle is conveniently positioned near local services, essential amenities, transportation services and community access programs in the heart of the Warragul community. The unique, purpose-built property offers a distinctive take on the traditional group housing and hospice living models, maintaining a modern and domestic design aesthetic to instil a sense of resident ownership, independence, dignity, and pride – while still prioritising accessibility.

Wattle has been designed to accommodate residents with extreme physical and/or intellectual disability and with high support needs, while simultaneously fostering independence, comfort, and security. Showcasing ergonomic design and stylish interiors, both the independent and shared dwellings have been built in adherence with the NDIS SDA High Physical Support (HPS) design standards which prioritise participant accessibility.

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Good Housing opened its first specialised disability housing projects Oak Tree and Apple Tree in Mount Colah in October 2020, and Lilly Pilly in Sydney’s Northern Beaches in 2021. Shortly thereafter, Good Housing launched its fourth and fifth completed projects Blue Hum and Red Robin in Sydney’s Hornsby Shire – also in collaboration with Service Providers Scope.

Wattle represents a major investment in Warragul and will set a benchmark in regional Victoria for better disability housing options. This development is also a major expansion of job opportunities in disability support, adding to Scope’s existing housing team in Warragul.

A massive and heartfelt thank you to all who attended and supported the launch of our new home Wattle in Warragul. We can't wait for our extraordinary tenants to start their new life chapters in their very own purpose-built dwellings! View the full event recap below.

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Could you see yourself or a family member living in one of our Good Homes? Get in touch today by completing our short enquiry form here.