An Emerald couple has made a bold move to secure a more independent future for their adult son with a disability, by buying a house and working with a disability support agency, Hearth Australia to establish a shared home tailored to his needs.
Long-time Emerald residents, Catriona and her partner, Ian, have used their superannuation to purchase a home in the area with the intention of creating a supported independent living (SIL) arrangement for their 27-year-old son, who has a range of cognitive and developmental disabilities.
Though his name is being kept anonymous for privacy reasons, Catriona said her son is well known and active in the community.
He participates in programs with the support of his NDIS funding and often volunteers at local schools and helps elderly neighbours with unusal jobs.
“We’ve been planning long-term for his future,” Catriona said.
“He’s part of this community, he plays tennis, he goes to the footy, people know him. Why should he have to leave just because he’s ready to live more independently?”
Hearth Australia’s chief executive officer, Justin Scanlon said they have been working with the family to help make this vision a reality.
“Hearth has been actively working with the family to source a couple of housemates for Catriona and Ian’s son,” he said.
“This is the greatest challenge within the disability sector, as we work to move away from more institutionalised living where people are allocated to a vacant room in a house. We’re also building the right support work and Allied Health team for the 27-year-old and the other participants.”
The couple is now searching for two other NDIS participants with similar funding and support needs to join their son as housemates in the new Emerald home.
The SIL model, supported under the NDIS, allows eligible people with disabilities to live together with appropriate support provided by a registered agency, in this case, the family has partnered with disability support provider Hearth to assist with the coordination and ongoing care.
“Not everyone qualifies for SIL funding, so this is quite niche,” Catriona said.
“Our son has one-to-three support funding, which means he can share support with two other residents. We want it to feel like a real share house, just with a little help-built in.”
While many supported housing options are increasingly being built in other parts of Victoria, Catriona said there is little to no disability-specific housing available in the Dandenong Ranges.
“In the hills, there’s just nothing. This could be the only SIL house in the area,” she said.
“We’ve struggled to find potential housemates because until now, we didn’t have something concrete to show and buying this house has changed that.”
Justin said Hearth’s involvement is key to making this work.
“There always needs to be a first in everything, which assists others who follow. What the family are trying to do together with Hearth is not usual. Once established and the outcomes shared, no doubt it will result in greater interest and demand for better long-term outcomes for people in the community,” her said.
Hearth will be visiting Emerald to film a promotional video highlighting the house and surrounding community, aimed at attracting possible co-tenants with the right SIL funding and shared interests.
Catriona said finding compatible housemates goes beyond just the paperwork.
“It’s kind of like matchmaking, but with funding attached. Hearth is really focused on making sure it’s a good fit not just for the people living together, but also their families,” she said.
Justin said this is both an art and science.
“The most challenging aspect of housing is matching families and participants. Hearth gets to know individual families and takes their time through the matching process. Having the right skilled support workers also plays a key role, especially if they know both the families and participants well,” he said.
The Emerald couple is hoping the new home will provide long-term stability for their son, while also creating a small, inclusive household for others with similar needs.
“It’s about sharing our good fortune,” Catriona said.
“We’re not wealthy, we’re just working people who saw an opportunity to give our son, and maybe others, a secure and meaningful future right where they belong.”
“Catriona’s family are terrific, and this is a unique opportunity for a couple of people to live their best life in a long-term home in Emerald supported by Hearth,” Justin said.
The family is keen to hear from others who might be a good fit but stress the need for potential co-tenants to already have SIL funding approved.
“This isn’t an open housing offer,” Catriona said.
“It’s for those who already have NDIS plans with SIL funding and who would thrive in a small, supportive household in the heart of Emerald.”
