A mental health advocacy group could be on the verge of a “major breakthrough” in the way Gippslanders with a severe mental illness are housed.
Barrier Breakers has secured a meeting with two State Government ministers as part of a bid for $10 million to construct supported accommodation units in towns across Gippsland.
The units would mimic accommodation set to go ahead in Traralgon this year, where six units will provide a permanent home for people with severe and chronic mental illness, and a place they can have access to daily support.
“There’s nothing like this in Victoria,” Barrier Breakers chairman Derek Amos said.
“If we can build a block of six units in 10 of the Gippsland towns, people can be closer to the community they grew up in and their family.
“These are all important ingredients in terms of wellbeing and recovery.”
Barrier Breakers reported about 4000 Gippslanders have a severe mental illness, but there are less than 100 fully supported accommodation units in the region.
Barrier Breakers delegates will meet with Housing Minister Wendy Lovell, Mental Health Minister Mary Wooldridge and Gippsland members of parliament on 19 February where it will seek a commitment of $10 million over four years for the project.
“We’ve got to do all we can to get government support,” Mr Amos said.
“If we’re successful, it’d be a major breakthrough in the way in which we accommodate people with mental illness.”
Mr Amos said the housing developments were not a return to institutionalisation.
“The units allow tenants to be part of their own communities with ongoing access to clinical care and home-based outreach support,” he said.
“It’s affordable, it’s permanent and there’s no fear on the part of the tenant.”
The $1.2 million six-unit flagship development in Traralgon’s Hyde Park Road is awaiting planning permit approval from Latrobe City Council.
It follows a more than two-year push by mental health service providers, which was plagued by bureaucratic delays to finalise a lease arrangement for the crown land.
Construction will be funded with $450,000 from the State Government, $600,000 from Eastcoast Housing and $150,000 from community donations.
The State Government has also allocated $348,000 to Mind Australia which will provide a support worker to assist residents and run day activities.
Latrobe Regional Hospital’s community mental health service will provide clinical support.
