This description can range from support to stay in your own home so you can continue living ‘independently’. At the other end of the spectrum, it can mean specialist housing for high needs (SDA) or group homes (SRF’s) offering meals/care designed for people with disabilities /and or mental health issues and at risk of homelessness.
Like with support for people to remain living independently in their own home the SRF accommodation is helping people to live independently with tailored support like personal care, skills training and case management.
I was recently involved in changing the use of a group of former age care home units to supported accommodation specifically for people with disabilities and mental issues.
Initially the home units (constructed in the 1960,s) needed to be update from a building perspective with issues such as ramps to facilitate mobility access around the facility and general modernising of fire alarms and accommodation for the 24/7 staff. The change of land use was originally overlooked as it was assumed age and SRF accommodation were both considered the same. Council did not agree with this and wanted the land use changed from a retirement facility to Supported accommodation specifically for people with disabilities and mental issues.
The site in Hawthorn is located within an established residential neighbourhood. Notification of the proposed change of land use generated much opposition from neighbours raising issues such as bad behavioural of residents, violent/sexualised histories, drug taking/dealing, noise and a host of similar issues. The Applicant and Facility management undertook much time developing or strengthening:
- Tenancy Agreements
- Safety Management Plans
- CCTV surveillance throughout the facility
- Safety protocols
- Mental Health Triage
After much discussion we satisfied the Council that the change of use should be approved because it still constituted a residential land use in a residential area. Also, they were convinced the facility operators and staff were concerned about the neighbours’ concerns and staff would address these issues in future. If this means a Tenancy Agreement needed to be terminated, and a resident sent to a SDA facility for individuals with higher level needs, to maintain peace in the neighbourhood that will occur.