Housing
Victorian Government commits to regulating for accessible housing
On 14 April the Victorian Government committed to regulation that would make some key accessibility features such as a level entry and an accessible toilet mandatory for a significant proportion of new homes in Victoria. VCOSS and the Victorian Universal Housing Alliance welcomed this commitment as a strong step towards making Victoria’s housing liveable and accessible for all Victorians. For more information see VCOSS/VUHA release here and State Government media release here.
Victorian Universal Housing Alliance
On 5 March 2009 the Alliance held a forum on the costs and benefits of universal housing in conjunction with the Victorian Local Governance Association. The forum was well attended with excellent presentations from Laurence Joseph, Chair, Victorian Government Accessible Housing Taskforce and Executive Director, Gandel Charitable Trust; John Durell, Project Manager, JG King Homes; Steven Baxas, Coordinator Building, Municipal Building Surveyor and Gary Spivak, Housing Development Officer,
Port Phillip City Council; and Jim Connor, Accredited Access Advisor and Auditor and Director, Baby Boomers and Beyond.
Speakers’ presentations are available at these links:
- Laurence Joseph’s presentation (DOC, 108KB)
- John Durell’s presentation (PDF, 24KB)
- Steven Baxas and Gary Spivak’s presentation (PPT, 6.2MB)
- Jim Connor’s presentation (PPT, 1.4MB)
The Victorian Universal Housing Alliance was established to advocate for State regulation to increase Victoria’s stock of universal housing – housing which is designed to be used by all people to the greatest extent possible. The Alliance is auspiced by VCOSS, the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), Council on the Ageing (COTA), the Chronic Illness Alliance and the Housing Resource and Support Service.
Download the Alliance Platform
The design of most of Victoria’s housing makes it inappropriate for many people. Families with children in prams, people with a temporary or permanent injury or a chronic illness and anybody who has ever moved house will have been inconvenienced by narrow doorways, curved staircases and steps to the entrance of the house. Building houses with some simple universal design features makes them liveable for everyone, regardless of age, family needs, or the changes a person may experience during their lifetime. It also means that they are visitable by everyone, regardless of age or ability.
While there is already considerable unmet need for universal housing, the most urgent need comes from Victoria’s ageing population. According to Victorian Government projections, by 2031 around one quarter of Victorians will be over 65. Many of these people will acquire some sort of mobility impairment, as the likelihood of these increases with age. Most will want to live independently in their own homes, in their communities, for as long as possible.
It’s internationally accepted that well-designed housing reduces the risk of injury, ill health, and institutionalisation. Badly-designed housing however costs government – and taxpayers - millions of dollars each year in hospital admissions, home care, early aged care admissions and expensive modifications, many of which would be unnecessary if houses were built to universal design standards. In the discussion paper “Universal Housing, Universal Benefits”, outlines how the Victorian Government could save over $70 million in such costs each year if it were to implement universal housing regulation.
Download ‘Universal Housing, Universal Benefits’:
'Universal Housing, Universal Benefits' word format
‘Universal Housing, Universal Benefits’ pdf format
The Victorian Universal Housing Alliance was launched on 29 July 2008 by Cath Smith, VCOSS CEO. Speakers at the launch included: Dr Helen Szoke, CEO and Chief Conciliator of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission; Dr Amanda Hordern, Deputy Director, Cancer Information and Support Service; Cancer Council of Victoria; Ralph Edwards, State Secretary of the CFMEU, and Debra Dean, a local community representative and advocate. Read Debra Dean’s speech from the launch.
Cath Smith (VCOSS) at launch
VUHA launch audience
Ralph Edwards (CFMEU) at launch
The launch attracted much media attention, gaining coverage in The Age, the Financial Review, ABC Radio National, ABC Regional Radio, WIN TV and several Leader newspapers.
The Age:
http://www.theage.com.au/national/calls-for-housing-to-be-safer-for-the-elderly-20080727-3lqp.html
ABC Radio National transcript of interview with Cath Smith:
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2317046.htm
Moreland Leader article featuring Debra Dean:
http://www.morelandleader.com.au/article/2008/08/04/40320_cov_news.html
VCOSS invites organisations who support the objectives of the Victorian Universal Housing Alliance to sign on to join the Alliance and add their logo to the Platform. The more organisations who are members of the Alliance, and the greater the diversity of sectors represented, the stronger the message to the Victoria Government will be to take action now on this important issue.
To join the Alliance or for more information contact Rivkah Nissim at rivkah.nissim@vcoss.org.au or on (03) 9654 5050
Current Alliance members are:
Access for All Alliance
Action for Community Living
Aids and Equipment Action Alliance
Alcohol Related Brian Injury Australia Services (arbias)
Archicentre
Association for Children with a Disability
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU)
Australian New Zealand Association of Neurologists
Australian Vietnamese Women's Welfare Association
Beverley Garlick Architects
Borderlands Cooperative
Blind Citizens Australia
Brotherhood of St Laurence
Cancer Council of Victoria
Catholic Social Services Victoria
Chronic Illness Alliance
City of Melbourne
City of Port Phillip
City of Yarra
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union
Council of Single Mothers and their Children
Council on the Ageing
Council to Homeless Persons
Dingley Village Community Advice Bureau
Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria
Housing for the Aged Action Group
Housing Resource and Support Service
ICLEI Oceania - Local Governments for Sustainability
Inner South Community Health Centre
Latrobe City Council
Mallee Accommodation and Support Program
Medical Scientists Association
Melbourne Affordable Housing
Melbourne CityMission
Mind (formerly Richmond Fellowship)
Moreland City Council
MS Society of NSW/Victoria
National Disability Services Victoria
North Yarra Community Health Centre
Occupational Therapists Association of Victoria/Australia
Paraquad
People with Disabilities Australia
Port Phillip Housing Association
Prahran Mission
Planning Institute of Victoria
Royal Australian Institute of Architects Victoria
Rural Housing Network
Shire of Yarra Ranges
Summer Foundation
Sunraysia Residential Services
Surf Coast Shire Council
Tenants Union of Victoria
Trades Hall Council
Travellers Aid Society of Victoria
UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania
Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association
Victorian Council of Churches
Victorian Council of Social Service
Victorian Local Governance Association
Victorian Psychologists Association
Victorian Women with Disability Network
Vision Australia
Women's Housing Ltd
Wyndham City Council
Young People In Nursing Homes Alliance (YPINH)