Published Tuesday, 22 May, 2007 at 09:27 AM

Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten

FUNDING BOOST FOR MARYBOROUGH HOME MODIFICATION SERVICE

Housing Minister Robert Schwarten today announced more than $300,000 in funding for Maryborough/Burnett South Home Modification Service.

Mr Schwarten said the funding was part of more than $4.4 million allocated to the 13 Home and Community Care Home Modifications providers across the State in 2007-08.

"This funding will be used by Maryborough/Burnett South Home Modification Service to support a range of services currently available to older people and people with disabilities in the local community,” Mr Schwarten said.

"Home modification services — funded through the joint federal-state Home and Community Care (HACC) program — assess what home modifications a person needs to meet their mobility requirements.

"Local home modification services also offer financial assistance to help prepare designs and plans and undertake the building modifications.

"This funding means home modification services can help more eligible people who want to stay living in their own homes longer.”

Mr Schwarten said it was not acceptable for someone to be excluded from community life because they have a disability.

"A simple modification like installing a ramp, or replacing a steep-sided bath with a shower, could let you stay in your own home and neighbourhood, that's the great value of the home modification services,” he said.

Home modification services are managed by the Department of Housing and delivered through local community-based organisations.

Media contact: (07) 3237 1832

May 22, 2007