Buy a brick and help Project Independence complete its much-needed Phillip housing project

An ACT social housing development for people with intellectual disabilities is calling for community support to help get its latest project over the finish line.

Rapid increases in construction costs have meant the projected costs for Project Independence’s Phillip development soared by 47 per cent over the past few years.

With support from ACT businesses the project is nearing completion, but Project Independence has launched the Buy a Brick campaign to ask the community to dig deep and help cover the remaining shortfall.

Project Independence CEO Di O’Hara said if it wasn’t for the generosity of some members of the Canberra community who had already supported the build financially and in kind, it could have spelled trouble for the Phillip development.

“Everyone is aware of the sharply escalating costs in the building industry – we haven’t been immune to that by any means,” she said.

“But we should also acknowledge a lot of local trades, communities and organisations have pitched in and helped us get the project to where it is.

“Some have provided materials free of charge, some have donated free labour. For instance, Icon has had a project coordinator onsite for over a year.

“We’re at the tail end now, and we hope the Buy a Brick initiative will help us complete this much-needed housing for people with intellectual disability in the Territory.”

With Anglicare’s 2023 Rental Affordability Snapshot due soon, Ms O’Hara said she isn’t expecting an improvement on last year’s dismal figures.

“Of 45,000 rentals in Australia, only 51 were affordable and suitable for a single person on a disability support pension,” she said.

“None of them were in the ACT or Queanbeyan. Year after year we see a similar thing and certainly, affordability has not improved in the past year, so I think we can expect the next snapshot will show the same picture.

“Home ownership rates for young people with intellectual disabilities are among the lowest in Australia. That’s where Project Independence comes in. We’re unique in that we offer a pathway to home ownership for people with intellectual disability.”

Project Independence Phillip will consist of three houses. One will house the living coordinator, who will support the residents and will include common spaces for residents to congregate, such as a big shared kitchen and lounge area.

The two other structures will each contain five one-bedroom units to house 10 residents in total.

Each unit will have its own bathroom, lounge, kitchen, courtyard and balcony, and each house will have separate common areas, including a barbecue area where residents and their loved ones can gather.

Ms O’Hara said ensuring housing affordability for all was in the best interests of the community as a whole.

“Most of our residents work, at least part time. It allows them to integrate into the community and live their lives as independently as possible,” she explained.

“Safe, affordable housing is fundamental to a range of wellness factors and the community has a vested interest in ensuring all people have access to safe and secure housing.”

The organisation hopes to sell 100 bricks through its Buy a Brick campaign to help complete Project Independence Phillip by the end of the financial year.

For a $50 donation, individuals can have their name or a special message engraved into a paver that will be laid at Project Independence Phillip. Businesses can have their logos for $150.

Buy a Brick to show your support.