CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED FOR NEW DISABILITY EMERGENCY HOME

Finishing touches have just been completed on a brand new short-term emergency home for people with high needs disability facing homelessness.

The new purpose built ‘Ford House’ at Eight Mile Plains will provide at-risk individuals, who present complex and challenging support needs, a temporary home to live in.

As part of Multicap’s short-term emergency placement service (STEPS), people with disability are given an opportunity to turn their lives around with some extra guidance.

Multicap CEO, Joanne Jessop said “People who access STEPS are provided with a place to stay and receive full assistance from Multicap, who works closely with the Department of Communities on seeing each individual reach their goals over a 12 week period.”

”Sometimes individuals stay longer until suitable accommodation becomes available, but ultimately Multicap is committed to achieving independence, confidence and successfully tranistioning people into suitable and permanent accommodation,” said Ms Jessop.

Ms Jessop said “The new Ford House is quite unique due to the extensive research undertaken when designing this home.”

Queensland Univerity of Technology’s Head of Creative Industry Faculty, Professor Jill Franz co-developed the conceptual designs around all-inclusive areas; accommodating the complex support needs of these individuals underpinned the architectural planning for the home.

The new Ford House contains four bedrooms, two staff bedrooms, plus two semi self-contained bedrooms with en-suites, designed specifically for enhancing and preserving people’s autonomy and assisting them to build independence. 

Each room has its own private courtyard and the home offers separate living spaces including lounge and dining rooms. 

Since 2007, Multicap’s STEPS program has seen over 100 people through its doors and is currently assisting around 12 people living in emergency homes under short-term arrangements.

Multicap undertook the build of Ford House in partnership with the Queensland Government, who generously contributed significant funding towards this invaluable community resource for people with a disability.

The home was built for an approximate cost of $1.3 million and will officially open in March.

Grand Opening event details:

Wednesday 16 March 2016

10 – 11am

303 Padstow Road, Eight Mile Plains

RSVP to Multicap’s Events Coordinator, Jessica Bool via jessicab@multicap.org.au or phone 07 3340 9016.

Multicap is a high needs disability support organisation providing individual, respite, family support networks, opportunities, and programs throughout Queensland for over 50 years.