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HOPES co-operative living concept is designed to give people with cognitive and/or physical disabilities a safe environment in which to live as independently as they are able. The project offers a financially viable, and personally empowering supported living model for people with acquired and neurological disabilities, who are unable to live satisfactorily in the community without support.
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The model consists of a small cluster of independent two bedroom units surrounding a common house. Some units may also be co-joined to enable family to live onsite (but separately) for as long as they wish/need to do so. This configuration is designed to encourage residents to interact and support each other, while retaining their personal space. Residents needing varying levels of assistance share support dollars/hours, and this is supplemented with rostered volunteer and peer group support.
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Each resident pays an agreed weekly or fortnightly levy to the co-operative body, which includes a body corporate amount for general property costs (e.g. rates) and maintenance; and an amount for care co-ordination.
Three bedrooms are included in the common house for transitional skills development, for which rates are determined by the co-operative (in conjunction with the support co-ordinator). These rooms may be used as transitional accommodation for residents who are apprehensive about moving into unit accommodation, as well as those preparing to move out on their own, or to family homes.
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A majority of adults with cognitive and/or physical disabilities following an acquired brain injury or neurological disease, have led full independent lives prior to the event and have a clear memory of that life.
Common outcomes range from problems with memory, planning and organisation, plus a lack of insight, to severe physical impairments; and, for most, loss of social networks, and a feeling of uselessness.
Traditionally, adults with disabilities have been housed in one of the following situations:
- The family home with family support (the majority)
- “Group” homes – Gov. and non-government, with paid supporters
- Aged care nursing homes and other institutions; and for a very few
- Independently, with personal support packages
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Residency is dependent on the availability of sufficient support dollars to address the potential resident’s needs. The ability to support residents with higher support needs depends on the amount of support already available to the incoming resident, in conjunction with existing on-site support hours. Such decisions are made by the Co-operative, acting on advice from the Co-ordinator. Paid support is supplemented with peer and family/external volunteer support.
Living arrangements in each unit are flexible and may include family members (e.g. supporting parents) if wished, for short or long periods. This then constitutes a transitional situation, enabling parents to move out when they are comfortable with the level of external support, or are no longer able to offer physical support themselves.
Residents (with relatively low support needs) can be supported in units on a separate, nearby site, and be members of the co-operative.
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In the co-operative living model, the property is managed by a Co-operative body consisting of residents and their advocates (as dual members), assisted by the appointment of people with specific skills where necessary. It is an incorporated body, working under legislative requirements. The Co-operative ensures rental payments are made, resolves any residential or common house issues, approves new residents, assists in the selection of a Care Co-ordinator, and deals with maintenance issues. It is also responsible for establishing selection criteria, grievance procedures, and exit policies.
Regular meetings are held in the common house, and each supporting family or advocate member is required to assist with communal support (e.g. cooking, gardening) on a rostered basis - or arranges a nominated substitute if they are unavailable.
