New emergency accommodation opens to support people with disability

A $1.3 million accommodation centre has opened at Eight Mile Plains today, to accommodate people with disability who are at risk of becoming homeless or find themselves in a crisis situation. 

Disability Services Minister Coralee O’Rourke officially opened the newly built Ford House for Multicap, which will provideshort-term emergency accommodation for individuals with high and complex needs.

“This project will support some of our communities’ most vulnerable by providing accommodation when they need it most,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“Everyone deserves a safe and secure home, as well as the required support to get back up on their feet – and that is exactly what this fantastic accommodation centre will offer.

“Ford House is a short-term emergency placement service (STEPS) providing accommodation for up to six people with disability and support services to assist them in finding more permanent solutions for their future.

“Our Government has invested more than $750,000, and Multicap has contributed more than $540,000 to deliver this new and improved supported accommodation facility, which will replace the old Ford House.

“I’m pleased Ford House has been funded under the Queensland Government’s Positive Futures Initiative, just one of the initiatives providing accommodation for people with disability in Queensland.”

Multicap CEO Joanne Jessop said people who accessed STEPS were given an opportunity to turn their lives around.

“We are committed to helping these individuals achieve independence, gain confidence and transition into suitable and permanent accommodation in the community,” she said.

“The new Ford House is quite unique due to the extensive research undertaken when designing this home.

“QUT’s Head of Creative Industry, Professor Jill Franz, co-developed the conceptual designs around enhancing and preserving people’s autonomy and assisting them to build independence, while accommodating their complex support needs.

“Since 2007, Multicap’s STEPS program has seen more than 100 people through its doors.”

Member for Stretton Duncan Pegg welcomed the opening of the new emergency accommodation centre for local people with disability.

“Im pleased people with disability in Stretton will have this essential safety net, to ensure there is a safe place for them to go in times of need,” Mr Pegg said.

For more information on how the Queensland Government is making a difference for people with a disability, visit www.qld.gov.au/disability.

Media Contact:                                  Minister O’Rourke’s office                  3719 7170