HOPES Cooperative Living Concept

Cooperative Living Concept

The Concept

The concept was developed following a series of individual discussions and focus groups with people in the target group, i.e. people living with, and/or supporting people with, acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological conditions.

People with acquired disabilities have a memory of life before their disability, and a strong desire to maximise their independence and control over their lives. Their constant plea is for space of their own in a supportive environment.

The concept is designed to maximise independence within a community setting, enable shared and peer group support, as well as offering respite and a transitional program.

Residents can enjoy their own space, and/or join in communal activities - such as cooking and gardening.

The model

The model consists of a cluster of eight independent two bedroom units surrounding a common house.

At least four of the units will be co-joined to enable family or other volunteer support 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.

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The concept

The common house (with a unit above for an on site care co-ordinator) is used for social activities, shared cooking and/or meals. It also doubles as a transitional living and respite centre, offering another source of income; and an opportunity for potential residents and their families to become familiar wth the lifestyle.

Attached to the common house is a bath house (with spa bath accessible to all residents), and a communal laundry.

The units and common house will be stratum titled, to enable private purchase of one or more of the units. The common house and units are linked by meandering pathways and various garden areas offering special interaction, individual seclusion, and communal vegetable gardening.

Laetare Court Project

The “Laetare Court Project ” is HOPES first co-operative living project, designed to give people with cognitive, neurological and/or acquired disabilities a safe environment in which to live as independently as they are able.

The Hopkins Street Moonah site consists of 14 independent two bedroom units, all with garages and three with an additional study. Two of these are planned to be converted into a common house and respite/transitional living area, the balance to be used for individual or shared living. 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 ‘common area’ will be used for social activities, shared cooking and/or meals for those who wish to be involved. The adjoining unit will be used for respite, and transitional living for potential residents; with a study/office for overnight support, and maintenance of management documents etc.

The units are the property of Housing Tasmania, leased to HOPES Inc. Rent, paid according to individual resident income, will be paid to HOPES Inc., who in turn will be responsible for total tenancy payments to Housing Tasmania.

Residents requiring medium or high levels of support may need to demonstrate access to adequate support (paid or informal) with agreement to share some of their support dollars/hours to enable on site support 24 hours per day. This is supplemented with rostered volunteer and peer group assistance (for such activities as cooking, gardening, shopping etc.)

Some units have already been allocated to people who have been HOPES members for several years; but we are currently calling for expressions of interest for residents for the remaining units.

Download Criteria for Residents Form

Download Expression of Interest Form

Alternatively, you can request a copy of this form by telephoning 0418 146 932.

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