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Emerging disability housing market meeting appetite for impact investment at scale

Source: Pro Bono  |  Author: Dr Di Winker & Dr Peter Mulherin

Dr Di Winkler and Dr Peter Mulherin explain the Specialist Disability Accommodation market and why disability housing is well placed to leverage the private capital available through impact investment.

Source: Australian Ageing Agenda  |  Author: Amelia Condi

There’s support for aged care providers as they transition to NDIS and start providing more choice and control for people with disability, writes Amelia Condi.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”https://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/contributors/a-new-era-begins-for-younger-people-in-aged-care/”][/button]

Source: Probono Australia  |  Author: Di Winkler

Dr Di Winkler AM, CEO and founder of the Summer Foundation, takes a look at the new Younger People in Residential Aged Care Strategy and reflects on what success will look like.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2020/10/ypirac-is-a-wicked-problem-that-can-only-be-solved-by-working-across-sectors/”][/button]

Source: ABC News  |  Reporter: Baz Ruddick

It sounds like a simple thing for most of us — an independent life, living in a house that is set up for our purpose.

But that is not the case for thousands of people living with disabilities. Finding a house fit for their needs is not always so simple.

[button icon=” fa-laptop ” text=” view online ” link=”https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-22/disability-housing-accommodation-ndis-ipswich-queensland/12364150″][/button]

Source: SBS News

Sam Petersen is one of many Australians living with disability who has difficulties accessing personal protective equipment, such as face masks. As Australia prepares to lift restrictions, she’s concerned people with disabilities are being left behind.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”https://www.sbs.com.au/news/this-woman-is-concerned-people-living-with-disabilities-will-be-left-behind-after-covid-19″][/button]

Source: SBS News |  Author: Maani Truu | Photo: AAP

Days after a disability worker in Victoria died after contracting COVID-19, advocates are calling for urgent action to ensure the safety of Australians living with a disability who are particularly vulnerable to the disease, and their carers.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”https://amp.sbs.com.au/v1/article/calls-for-australia-s-disability-carers-to-get-the-same-coronavirus-protections-as-aged-care-workers/eb30cdd3-e010-4c2e-84ca-a56c25c95f95?amp=1 “][/button]

Source: AFR |  Author: Michael Bleby

The pipeline of new homes developed with National Disability Insurance Scheme funding has jumped by 50 per cent over the past 12 months, the latest report by the Summer Foundation and Social Ventures Australia into the sector shows.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”https://www.afr.com/property/commercial/private-sector-flocks-to-specialist-disability-accommodation-20200326-p54e1i”][/button]

Source: Sydney Morning Herald  |  Author: Judith Ireland | Photo: Jamila Toderas

The National Disability Insurance Agency has flagged a new strategy to reduce the number of younger people in nursing homes, conceding more work is needed even as figures show a slight fall in the December quarter.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/progress-made-to-get-younger-people-out-of-nursing-homes-20200211-p53zsl.html?”][/button]

Source: Probono |  Author: Luke Michael

Not-for-profits need more than just a successful pilot program to influence government and achieve systemic change, a sector leader believes.

Dr Di Winkler is CEO and founder of Summer Foundation, an NFP looking to stop young people with disability from being forced to live in nursing homes.

She spoke to Pro Bono News about the foundation’s advocacy and systems change role in the issue, explaining that it took a lot of work to take a pilot program to scale.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2020/02/why-nfps-need-to-look-beyond-successful-pilot-programs/ “][/button]

Source: The Daily Telegraph  |  Reporter: Madelaine Wong

New artist impressions have been released, depicting the final product of a multimillion-dollar development supporting disability needs in Mt Colah.
It comes as the community advocates for more accessible housing and infrastructure in the Hornsby Shire.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/hornsby-advocate/first-look-at-stateoftheart-mt-colah-disability-housing/news-story/c2ccff3ee35568b76a9b8a539ce132a7″][/button]

[button icon=”fa-file-text-o” text=”View PDF ” link=”https://summerfoundation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/First_look_at_state-of-the-art_Mt_Colah_disability_housing___News_Local-2.pdf”][/button]

Source: Probono  |  Author: Luke Michael

As 2019 draws to a close, we look back at five major reforms that were made possible only through strong charitable advocacy.  

Advocacy is an essential function of charities and a vital component of Australian democracy.

But it is an area sometimes misunderstood by the public and an activity that has come under attack from governments in recent years.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2019/12/five-times-australian-charities-made-a-difference-through-advocacy-in-2019/”][/button]

Source: The Australian |  Reporter: Megan Neil

Colin Hiscoe has a simple request for the disability royal commission – please help.

Mr Hiscoe has begged the royal commission to help the people stuck with no voice and little options in disability group homes.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/plea-to-help-people-in-disability-homes/news-story/5de66f1f7918e4ba9f7d949ef40338dd”][/button]

Source: Every Australian Counts  |  Author: George Taleporos

Ahead of giving evidence to the Disability Royal Commission hearing in Melbourne, the Summer Foundation’s Dr George Taleporos spoke to Every Australian Counts.

Dr Taleporos outlined what he planned to tell the Commission – and what he thinks needs to change when it comes to housing for people with disability.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”https://www.everyaustraliancounts.com.au/opinion/housing-for-people-with-disabilities-what-needs-to-happen/”][/button]

Source: The Canberra Times  |  Reporter: Sally Whyte | Photo: Jamila Toderas

After spending three years and eight months in an aged care facility, Mario Amato managed to leave and move in to his own unit.

Read More

Source: Probono | Reporter: Luke Michael

The Morrison government has pledged there will be no young people with disability living in residential aged care by 2022.

In its response to the aged care royal commission’s interim report, the government vowed to ensure there were no people under 65 entering aged care by 2022, no people under 45 living in aged care by 2022, and no people under 65 living in aged care by 2025.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2019/11/government-vows-to-remove-young-people-with-disability-from-aged-care/”][/button]

[lead]The Summer Foundation, the Young People In Nursing Homes National Alliance, Youngcare, Synapse, the Specialist Disability Accommodation Alliance and Aged & Community Services Australia have released a joint statement:[/lead]

Organisations supporting young people living in nursing homes have welcomed the Morrison Government’s commitment to work to the targets endorsed by the Aged Care Royal Commission that will see no younger person enter residential aged care by 2022 and no one under 65 years in aged care by 2025.

“This is an important step forward and we applaud the government for its commitment to these new targets,” said YPINH Alliance head, Dr Bronwyn Morkham. “The targets reflect the urgency of this problem – and they are certainly achievable – but it’s essential that we start now.

“We’re ready to work with the government to develop and implement its new strategy. We look forward to seeing more detail about these new initiatives, to make sure the strategy delivers on its promise.”

“We’re pleased to see that improved data gathering and detailed analyses of this cohort will form a central part of this work,” said Summer Foundation CEO Dr Di Winkler.

“We also welcome the government’s decision to implement a joint agency approach. Too many younger people end up in aged care because they fall through cracks between the health and disability systems. Bringing all the relevant agencies together is the only way we can stop this from continuing to happen. State health systems are key to this work and we look forward to being partners in this new strategy.”

Youngcare CEO Anthony Ryan said that developing a database of new and existing housing options will support investment in accessible housing.

“Helping investors better understand the needs of these younger people is critical to developing the housing and care options they need,” he said.

“The rapid availability of interim housing solutions is also a priority to stop younger people going into aged care.”

ACSA CEO Pat Sparrow also welcomed the announcement but called on the Morrison Government to ensure that those younger people also receive the level of support they require while they continue to live in an aged care home.  “There is often a funding disparity that disadvantages those people in aged care.  ACSA believes that regardless of your age or where you reside you should get the level of support required to meet needs and to have a good quality of life.”    

All organisations agree that funding is needed for individual advocacy to prevent young people going into aged care as well as help them make the transition back to life in the community.

“These are people needing multiple supports from different services and we need new roles that can work closely with each younger person and the service systems they need to make their transition to life in the community a success,” said Dr Morkham.

You can download a PDF copy of this statement here.

Source: Breakfast (ABC Radio)   |  Reporter: Jacinta Parsons & Sami Shah

Yesterday the Australian Government handed down its response to the interim report from the Aged Care Royal Commission, which labelled the treatment in aged care as a shocking tale of neglect.

Interview starts at 1:37.20

Featured: Carolyn Finis, Summer Foundation

[button icon= “fa-microphone” text=”Listen online ” link=”https://www.abc.net.au/radio/melbourne/programs/breakfast/breakfast/11719824″][/button]

Source: PM (ABC Radio)  |  Reporter: Nick Grimm 

The Prime Minister says he’s delivering “lasting change for a new generation”, as he’s announced the Federal Government’s response to the damning interim report of the Aged Care Royal Commission, but that’s quickly been dismissed by some advocates.

Read More

Source: Australia Wide (ABC Radio)  |  Reporter: Sinead Mangan

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced his government will spend more than half a billion dollars on aged care, this follows the damning interim report into the sector from the Aged Care Royal Commission.

Interview starts at 7.26

Featured: Carolyn Finis

[button icon= “fa-microphone” text=”Listen online ” link=”https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/australia-wide/australia-wide/11715972″][/button]

Source: Northern Health | Photo: Northern Health

Northern Health has partnered with the Summer Foundation to up skill our staff in how we work with the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme).

Read More

Source: The Estate Agent | November 2019

New website makes it easier for people with disabilities to find suitable accommodation.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”https://issuu.com/eamagazine/docs/reiv_estate_agent_november_2019_web/27″][/button]

[button icon=”fa-file-text-o” text=”View PDF ” link=”https://summerfoundation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/REIV_Estate-Agent-November_2019_WEB-2.pdf”][/button]

Source: Disability Support Guide  |  Reporter: Liz Alderslade

The Interim Report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has recommended the removal of all younger people with disability from aged care and to stem the flow of younger people into a system that cannot provide appropriate care.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”https://www.disabilitysupportguide.com.au/talking-disability/younger-people-with-disability-need-to-be-removed-from-aged-care”][/button]

Source: The Wire  |  Reporter: Isabella Guzman  |  Photo: Pixabay

The Royal Commission released their report on aged care called “Neglect” this Saturday, in it they have described the Australian aged care system “unsafe” and “uncaring” and have called to immediate action as conditions for elders and young people with disabilities seem to worsen with time due to under-funding and poor management.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”http://thewire.org.au/story/report-on-the-aged-care-system-unveils-neglect-on-residents/”][/button]

Source: intheblack  |  Reporter: Jan McCallum

Australia has a long history of holding royal commissions, and they’re now being used to tackle complex social issues like aged care, domestic violence and more.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”https://www.intheblack.com/articles/2019/10/01/where-to-next-for-royal-commissions”][/button]

Source: Aged Care Guide  |  Reporter: Liz Alderslade

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety hosted a panel of industry experts who are actively attempting to address the issue of younger people with disability living in residential aged care (RAC) facilities, with the Government receiving scathing criticism about their current action plan.

[button icon= “fa-laptop” text=”View online ” link=”https://www.agedcareguide.com.au/talking-aged-care/royal-commission-government-repeating-the-same-mistakes-as-in-2006″][/button]