New rules may lead to NDIS housing

NEW rules exempting certain community accommodation from planning permits are expected to speed up construction of a new purpose-built NDIS development in Rosebud, potentially paving the way for similar accommodation elsewhere on the Mornington Peninsula.

The project by builders Balmain and Co to be launched on Monday (4 December) with a turning of the sod and welcome to country ceremony, is expected to fill a need for NDIS housing in the area.

According to data, around 75 per cent of NDIS housing is older stock, and not fit for purpose for a range of client needs.

There is also a shortage of properties on the peninsula according to developer spokesperson Jess Jones, with only two vacancies currently listed on the peninsula for NDIS housing.

Balmain and Co plans to build seven units (four two-bedroom and three one-bedroom) over three levels in The Crescent, Rosebud, housing up to 11 participants.

Jones said the state government last year changed the planning laws to allow builders to develop NDIS accommodation without a planning permit, under “community care” accommodation.

Clause 52.22 was brought in to “facilitate the establishment of community care accommodation”.

To be eligible, developments must not accommodate more than 20 clients, not including staff.

A 2018 study by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute shows Australia’s supply of specialty disability accommodation needs to grow by 60 per cent to house the 28,000 people the NDIS expects to finance.

The report identified another 33,200 people with very high support needs who may require SDA on top of the 17,500 already in this form of housing. Of these 33,200 people, 6200 people are under 64 residing in aged care.