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Forum to discuss more accessible housing design

When Richmond footballer Nathan Brown broke his leg he couldn’t go home because of issues with access to his apartment and had to find alternative accommodation while he recovered.

By Latrobe City Council - 20th October 2005 - Back to News

People with disabilities or those experiencing a temporary disability, older people, and families with young children, all need housing which has been designed to support their needs. As a consequence, legislation is now being considered that will ensure accessibility is incorporated into housing design.

To explain how needs are being addressed through the legislation being considered, the Housing Support and Resource Service, in partnership with Latrobe City, will be holding an information forum in Traralgon on Thursday 27 October called ‘Housing for Life’.

Latrobe City’s Rural Access Project Officer, Bill Lawler said that many informative topics would be discussed at the forum.

"Speakers include Darryl Fitzgerald, Latrobe’s Manager Environment and Land Use, Henk Harberts, Latrobe’s Community Safety Manager and Ivan Peterson, Disability Planner with City of Banyule. Speakers will cover issues such as what is accessible and adaptable housing; what the government is responsible for; what the planning and building codes cover, and the benefits of accessible and adaptable housing for the wider community.

"At some time in our lives, all of us will benefit from our homes being built to be accessible. Whether it is because an elderly relative visits for a few days, age catching up with us, an injury or illness limits our mobility for a short time, or friends with young children drop over. Having a barrier-free home means minimum disruptions to our lifestyle," Mr Lawler explained.

"The introduction of legislation to ensure all new dwellings are designed to be accessible will enable every person to live safer, independent lifestyles and to participate in their local community," Mr Lawler said.

Mr Lawler added that there were considerable economic and social benefits to accessible housing design.

"For example, citizens can continue living in their local community as they age, those who may otherwise have needed residential care may not need to make that move so early, and accessible housing design can provide a safer environment for families.

"It is estimated that the cost of incorporating access requirements into a new home at the construction stage is 10 to 30 times less that retrofitting, modifying or rebuilding. Accessible housing will also reduce the number of falls in the home, which contributes to the loss of millions of dollars each year in medical costs, lost productivity and carer costs," Mr Lawler explained.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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