Author: ftudeliving

Fortitude Living is delighted to announce that collaborative efforts alongside esteemed project partners WAI Group, Activ Foundation, Community Housing Ltd and G Living have been recognised with the prestigious ‘Leading Housing Development Project’ Award for our specialist disability housing project in High Wycombe.

This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to the power of teamwork and dedication demonstrated by our project partners. We extend our gratitude to Sean Kelly, State Manager of Community Housing Ltd, for nominating this exceptional development, contributing to this fantastic result!

A new housing development in central Albany is set to provide some relief for community members requiring specialist disability accommodation as well as additional affordable housing options.

A joint venture between the Community Living Association, Advance Housing, WAI Group, G Living and Fortitude Living will see three new SDA offerings constructed at 77 Stead Road.

The SDA will each be able to comfortably house three participants along with one carer as required.

They will feature wide corridors, step-free pathways, an ensuite for each bedroom, be fully furnished and have the ability to be customised according to client needs.

Fortitude Living and G Living’s Gianpaolo Crugnale said the project had been in the pipeline for more than three years and everyone involved was very happy it had reached the stage where work was being done on site.

He said centrally located sites, such as the one they had been able to secure in Albany, are very important “especially for those with limited mobility is a priority”.

“We are incredibly happy because we understand the disability housing needs of Albany via our many community discussions, and look forward to being a part of the solution,” he said.

“Sites of this nature are difficult to come by, and this site in particular required a lot of site works, to ensure suitability.”

Mr Crugnale said the partnership with CLA and Advance Housing came about because WAI recognised them as “leaders in their field in this region” and discussions about local requirements determined it would be “an excellent fit”.

CLA chief executive Russell Nelson said there was a “significant need” for more SDA across Australia and it was “more so in regional areas like Albany”.

He said many people with disabilities live in “inappropriate or unsuitable accommodation” and that having your own space was “essential to anyone’s sense of independence and wellbeing, and this is particularly true for individuals living with disabilities”.

It will then take a further two months to fully prepare the units and houses for clients to move into in October.

Mr Nelson said the long-term benefits and cost savings of building purpose-built homes would help CLA continue to provide high-quality support to its clients.

He said upfront costs would reduce ongoing modification and maintenance costs will improving the quality of life of people living with disabilities.

“It’s also crucial to remember that providing suitable, accessible housing is a key part of upholding the rights of people with disabilities,” he said.

“CLA anticipates that over the next two to three years it will be involved in the construction and consequent support services to in excess of 25+ NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation rooms.

“The other anticipated knock-on effect will be the releasing of numerous properties back into the pool for persons of disability who do not currently meet the SDA requirements.”

A further nine affordable accommodation units will be built behind the three SDA houses, which will be built at the front of the block.

Plans for the accommodation show there will be seven two-bedroom units and two one-bedroom units.

“During community consultation, along with specialist disability accommodation, it was clear affordable housing was also very much needed,” Mr Crugnale said.

“As a part of the development, a majority has been set aside for affordable housing.”

Advance Housing chief executive John Lysaught will undertake the management of the housing service element of the project.

“Advance Housing takes the view that no one party has the capacity to respond to all the needs in this community,” he said.

“By working with our community service partners, and in this case private developers and investors, the increasing range and number of housing options becoming available can only be a very good thing.”

We are excited to announce that eight new bespoke homes will be built across Perth’s southern corridor to meet growing demand for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) in Western Australia.

The properties, to be built in Carlisle, East Riverton, East Cannington and Hamilton Hill, will provide opportunities for people living with disability to reside in beautiful, customised homes that cater to their specific needs.

The architecturally designed, fully furnished homes will incorporate large corridors and living spaces to navigate with ease, step-free paths, adjustable kitchen benches and height accessible light switches and power points.

The projects are a collaboration between property developer WAI Group, architect/builder Fortitude Living and G Living, specialist disability accommodation provider Nesti Housing and supported independent living provider Nulsen Disability Services.

The East Riverton, Hamilton Hill, East Cannington and Carlisle developments will each offer two three-bedroom homes. At capacity, the homes will ultimately cater for 24 people.

Each participant will have their own bedroom and ensuite and access to a kitchen, generous living spaces and an outdoor area. There is also a separate bedroom, office space and bathroom for overnight support care professionals.

WAI Group Director Paul Stanley said the developments were the latest investment in a series of inclusive SDA homes led by WAI Group across the state.

“At WAI Group, we are committed to increasing stocks of SDA properties so people with disability can enjoy functional homes, and the same sense of community connectedness in their local neighbourhoods as everyone else,” Mr Stanley said.

“We are proud to be a leader in the sector, working closely with disability and supported independent living providers, families and future residents to offer top-quality, tailored homes that boost independence and social inclusion.”

Nesti Housing Executive Manager James Allbeury said Nesti was driven to creating sustainable housing solutions for the WA community to ensure individuals with disability not only had an appropriate place to call home, but also a place to thrive.

“SDA housing is not just a roof over one’s head; it’s a gateway to independence, empowerment, and inclusion,” Mr Allbeury said.

“At Nesti we believe that SDA housing is testament to our belief in the inherent value of every person – reaffirming that everyone deserves a safe, accessible, and inclusive home.”

Nulsen Disability Services Chief Executive Officer Caroline Watt said Nulsen was proud to offer supported independent living in spacious SDA homes that offer privacy, dignity and thoughtful accessibility.

“SDA accommodation allows for increased independence, safety, comfort and environmental control. This is a new benchmark in the standard of disability housing, modern living and a comfortable and independent life,” Ms Watt said.

“Nulsen has a near 70-year history as a leading provider of disability services. Our collaboration with WAI Group, Fortitude Living and Nesti Housing is a wonderful opportunity to provide a modern and beautiful environment that people with disability feel proud of and consider a forever home.”

Fortitude Living and G Living architect-builder Gianpaolo Crugnale said a well-considered design was critical for SDA properties to meet the requirements of tenants, while ensuring the functionality of the home is balanced with good design principles.

“The needs of future residents have been central to the planning of these homes, with designs that blend practical ideas and comfortable living,” Mr Crugnale said.

 The East Riverton and Carlisle developments are due for completion in February 2024, while the Hamilton Hill homes will be finished in June 2024. In January 2025, the East Cannington properties are expected to be completed.

Fortitude Living, in collaboration with WAI Group and G Living, look forward to bringing you Steadfast Estate. 

Located in Albany, Steadfast Estate will be built for purpose which means that it will be designed specifically to meet the support needs of each person living in the home.

All three SDA houses will feature large corridors and living spaces, as well as step free pathways and slip resistant floors throughout, ensuring that navigating the home is done with ease. Fixtures and fittings will be at a height that everyone can reach and where required have adjustable benchtops. 

Each bedroom in the home will have its own en-suite bathroom, designed specifically to meet the support needs of the individual. These homes include a bedroom / office space for overnight support care, and there is a separate bathroom for support care and guests, ensuring complete privacy in all personal living spaces.

The homes are fully furnished in all shared living areas including; lounge area, kitchen, dining room, laundry and outside alfresco area. Each home will have a generous outdoor space which features an assortment of plants, creating a beautiful outdoor area that is perfect for entertaining. 

Steadfast Estate will also have an affordable housing option for those customers that don’t have SDA funding. These units will be a mix of 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom homes. 

Project Details:

Fortitude Living, G Living and WAI Group are excited to announce our new Specialist Disability Housing (SDA) and Affordable Housing project located in West Busselton.

Our SDA dwellings will be built for purpose, this means they are designed to meet the specific support needs of each person living in the home. All bedrooms have their own en-suite bathroom, designed specifically to the support needs of the individual.

These homes include a bedroom / office space for overnight support care, and there is a separate bathroom for support care and guests, ensuring complete privacy in all personal living spaces.

Jarrah Estate will also feature an affordable housing option consisting of a mix of 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom homes apartments.

Estimated Project Completion Date: Late 2023

Great News! –  We have received development Approval from Joint Development Assessment Panel for our 7 storey project in the heart of the Nedlands Medical Precinct.

Offering a mix of Medical Suites with Specialist Disability Accommodation, Affordable Housing and a much-needed Short Stay Medi-Hotel in the area we are really pleased with the approval and look forward to delivering a great project.

In its form, the project has been exceptionally well thought out and is inspiring and unique to Nedlands. There is no other project quite like this in the area.

We take a lot of pride ensuring we go beyond the norm. Whether it’s the extensive landscaped areas that flow to each floor, to sustainable and environmental ESD initiatives or offering greater amenity for locals and visitors in the heart of Nedlands. This is a project that sets a higher standard and offers much needed diversity and accommodation needs to Nedlands Medical Precinct.

The project has been a testament to the team at DKO Architecture, Planning Solutions, Propagule Landscaping, John Greenwood, Cardno, Talis, Lloyd George Acoustics and Belinda Moharich who have been just fantastic to work alongside with. Its been this close collaboration that gives rise for such a wonderful project.

G living with project partners has numerous projects through WA being delivered which provide much needed SDA, modular built and Affordable Housing solutions. Look out for more News forthcoming shortly on these projects.