Laetare Court at Moonah is our first co-operative community – comprising 12 independent living units, plus a community house and respite/transitional unit. Established during 2010, with assistance from the Housing Innovations Unit, Disability Services, and the Tasmanian Community Fund, Laetare Court is now home to 12 households.
The 14 independent two bedroom units on the southern Tasmanian site were constructed under the National Building Stimulus Program and leased to HOPES in May 2010. Twelve units were allocated for independent living and the remaining two set aside, one as a community house and the other as a respite/transitional living unit. This configuration is designed to encourage residents to interact and support each other, while retaining their personal space. Residents may choose to live alone, or share their unit.
The first residents moved in at the end of May 2010, and the final resident moved into the twelfth unit at the beginning of 2011. Criteria for applicants can be seen below or by clicking here.
The Community House is now functioning as a shared space, where residents meet formally once a month to resolve any issues and plan shared activities – such as DVD viewing or games sessions. They have also developed a community garden at the rear and are planning some shared meals. Community interaction has already occurred with residents holding a sausage sizzle for neighbours and, more recently three residents volunteering to assist with a vegetable garden at a local primary school. On site, residents have volunteered for lawn mowing, putting out rubbish bins, preparing a regular newsletter and generally helping each other.
The Respite/Transitional unit has been leased, and has recently supported its first two visitors. Both of these units have been furnished with funds received from the Tasmanian Community Fund – for which we are extremely grateful. All of the above activities have occurred with the valuable assistance of a part-time co-ordinator funded (along with a nightly sleepover position and some onsite support) by the Dept of Health and Human Services.