The Yumaro Inclusive Living Project celebrated a momentous milestone today, igniting hope for individuals with disabilities in the Eurobodalla region. Supported by 40 like-minded individuals who shared the vision, Yumaro gathered on-site at the project's location.
The Yumaro inclusive living project aims to construct purpose-built state of the art facility that provides accessible and inclusive permanent accommodation for 10 people with a disability and ongoing respite support for 100's of people with a disability and their families.
The project will be built to a high physical support design and will include fully accessible villas, a shared living home, respite accommodation for the community, and 24-hour onsite support. The project addresses the specific housing needs of the community, fostering independence, social inclusion, and a sense of belonging including a much-needed respite facility for individuals with disabilities in the Eurobodalla region.
At the event, guest speaker, Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP emphasised the project's significance, and the importance of providing suitable housing for people with a disability.
Above: Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP, standing with Rod Phillips and Mark Brantingham of Yumaro with lifetime Yumaro member John Gillett looking at concept design plans.
The Member for Gilmore said "I was delighted to join with the Yumaro family, to take a look at the new site for the Living Inclusive Project which will provide supported independent living to assist 10 people living with disability.
There is a dire shortage of housing in our region and this acutely impacts people living with disability. I am proud to support this project and I look forward to it progressing".
“This project will truly make a difference to so many people " she said.
Mark Brantingham CEO of Yumaro stated; "We know that housing plays a major role in the health and wellbeing of people with disabilities, by providing shelter, safety and security. The availability of accessible, affordable, appropriate housing helps people with disability to participate in the social, economic and community aspects of everyday life.”
Through community consultations and housing assessments, Yumaro identified the urgent need for accessible and inclusive housing options in the Eurobodalla region. NDIS data and Yumaro’s own research show there are 56 individuals in our region that are not able to access suitable and accessible accommodation. This is putting strain on families, aging parents, our local health system, further ingraining long standing poverty and exacerbating social isolation.
Yumaro's project will alleviate caregiving burdens for families, improve family well-being, and enhance family relationships and support networks. It offers families financial stability and the opportunity to re-engage with work or education while knowing their loved ones are in safe and accessible housing.
The Yumaro Inclusive Living Project represents more than bricks and mortar; it embodies a vision of creating a more inclusive and supportive community and addressing the community infrastructure gap.
Research revealed a pressing need for accessible and inclusive housing options in the Eurobodalla region. The limited supply of specialised disability accommodation (SDA) highlights the urgency.
Out of 33 SDA dwellings in Southern NSW, only 9 are built to the high physical support design category, leaving many with unmet housing needs.
Additionally, the NDIS data indicated that there are 18 individuals who need SDA accommodation now and have nowhere to live within the Southern NSW region. In additional just from Yumaro own housing survey there is a further 38 people from Narooma to Ulladulla that currently are looking for accessible accommodation. There is clearly a large shortfall for people in our region.
Housing affordability is a critical factor in determining the financial well-being of households. A common measure of housing affordability compares housing costs to gross household income, and it is generally considered that housing is affordable if housing costs do not exceed 30% of the household's income. When a low-to-moderate income household spends more than 30% of their income on housing, they are considered to be in financial housing stress.
Housing affordability challenges are also evident in Eurobodalla shire, with 40.7% of households in Eurobodalla experiencing rental stress, spending over 30% of their income on rent. This issue compounds the hardships faced by people with disabilities, further ingraining long-standing poverty and social isolation.
The Yumaro Inclusive Living Project aims to bridge the community infrastructure gap, alleviating rental stress for families and improving overall well-being. By providing accessible and affordable housing options, the project seeks to create a more inclusive and supportive community.
Fiona Phillips MP expressed her gratitude to Yumaro for the invitation, praising the warm and inclusive atmosphere of Yumaro saying, "When I think of Yumaro, I think of the Yumaro family, and I think that's really evident here today. Whether you're a participant at Yumaro through work or you get your support from Yumaro” acknowledging all the hard work it takes to get projects like these off the ground.
Yumaro extends heartfelt gratitude to all participants and supporters, acknowledging their valuable contribution in driving the project forward, creating a brighter future for individuals with disabilities in the Eurobodalla region. To learn more about Yumaro's inclusive housing project or get involved, visit their website at https://yumaro.com.au The Yumaro team welcomes visits to their nursery in Ulladulla and main office in Moruya.
