A Canberra community housing project organisation has revealed plans to build a new village for people with intellectual disabilities on the city's southside.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Project Independence began consultation earlier this month with residents near its proposed Phillip site for the 10-unit social housing development.
The idea behind the project was to provide people with intellectual disabilities the chance to acquire equity in a property and live as independently as possible.
Under the system, residents able to live semi-independently would move into the properties and receive some assistance from village staff, rather than being forced into community housing or relying on family members for support.
Ten units, plus a guest suite, would be built on the plot of land near Horbury Street, connected to communal living, dining and laundry spaces.
If approved, the site would complement existing housing in Harrison and Latham, built in 2016.
Building consultant and strategic planner David Carr said there had been 32 expressions of interest in the units so far.
He said there had been great interest from potential residents and their parents in the district.
"There's more of an ageing population in the Woden Valley area who have children who've grown up in the area and are reaching the stage of life where the parents would like them to become more independent, but stay within their existing communities," he said.
"We expect more expressions of interest will come through when the plans are better known publicly."
Mr Carr said Project Independence looked for sites close to amenities such as shops and public transport .
The Phillip land reserved for the organisation backed onto the bike path following Yarralumla Creek and was close to bus stops, Westfield Woden and Canberra Hospital.
The organisation was formed by Aspen Medical co-founder Glenn Keys and former Special Olympics ACT chairman David Hill to provide accommodation options for people with intellectual disabilities while retaining or building confidence and dignity.
No objections or questions were raised during presentation about the proposal to Woden Valley Community Council earlier this month.
Mr Carr said there were often issues raised from nearby residents who believed the projects were public housing.
"We do often get concern from people in the neighbourhood about management of the facility and what can be provided ongoing for the residents," he said.
"We're well aware of all those concerns and I'm happy to hear people if they want to raise it."
Consultation with immediate neighbours will continue for the rest of the month.
Project Independence was expected to lodge a development application in June, with plans to begin construction next year if approved.
