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.
The common house is used for social activities, shared cooking and/or meals. It also doubles as a transitional living centre, offering another source of income; and an opportunity for potential residents and their families to become familiar with the lifestyle; and can be used for respite when available. Attached to the common house is a unit for an on site care co-ordinator.
The units and common house can be stratum titled, to enable private purchase of one or more of the units. The common house is owned by the co-operative. The balance is public or investment housing, with the possible option of later purchase by the Co-operative or individual residents.
A Co-operative body consisting of residents and advocates is responsible for managing housing and day-to-day lifestyle issues. An established service provider is responsible for co-ordinating support hours, according to individual resident’s options, and the Co-operative will assist with the appointment of a care co-ordinator, who has rent-free accommodation in the common house. Residents nominate their own support workers but the appointed service provider has responsibility for co-ordinating support.
To our knowledge, this innovative model has not been trialled elsewhere, but aspects of it are operating successfully in various parts of the world (e.g. various co-housing models for able bodied people, such as Trudeslund Cohousing in Denmark, and Tasmania’s two cohousing groups at South Hobart; as well as a co-operatively run shared house for people with disabilities in England (Meriden Street).