Values inherent in H4L QLD include, and are not limited to:

• First and foremost a ”home"
• Quality of life
• Belonging and acceptance - social inclusion
• Sense of Purpose
• Love and respect
• Independence and responsibility
• Security - physical, financial and emotional
• Personal growth and resilience
• Compassionate support for optimum health outcomes
• Fun
• Integrity
  

Background and drivers

Housing for Life Inc. was established as an Incorporated Association in 2006 to implement parents’ plans for investment in their families' future housing and wellbeing. To establish the foundation for a strong sustainable organisation, a more effective legal structure was necessary and Housing for Life Qld, a company limited by guarantee was established in May 2008.

The venture is driven by personal and social factors. Aged parents harbour serious concerns for how adult offspring with mental health conditions and siblings would manage in the future when they are no longer here.

At the same time, international, social trends in mental health practice have moved towards consumer empowerment and community care. Alternative residential and community-based accommodation is favoured, with increased attention placed on the resources required to support recovery. Support services which have proven effective are collaborative arrangements to assist independence, housing and coordination to access employment, health and social engagement.

By meeting residents' needs in the community, re-admissions to acute inpatient services can be reduced and timely discharges achieved. Problems compound for the vulnerable where poverty, drug and alcohol dependency and low reliance on available family combine to exacerbate the unpredictability of the course of mental illness. Tendency is to cycle in and out of homelessness and temporary accommodation.

Housing is recognised as a fundamental need for everyone. Finding suitable housing is a major challenge with flow-on effects to all other areas of life, especially for people who are mentally ill. There is a significant shortage of suitable accommodation in Australia for those who need both a stable home base and support to live with a mental illness. "Housing first" approaches for mentally ill people, as proposed in this Housing for Life venture, have demonstrated successful housing outcomes and extraordinary cost effectiveness.

Community and governments with responsibility for the care and wellbeing of people with a mental disability can derive considerable value from the H4L QLD model of care in that:

• Housing for Life is a family driven initiative, largely family/privately funded;.

• Majority private investment in appropriate accommodation can leverage any donor and taxpayer contributions, enabling maximum value to be obtained;

• 11 residents can be serviced collectively at much lower rate than individually;
• 11 people can be empowered to achieve higher quality of life, avoid homelessness and reduce claims on other social, financial and health services;
• Government objectives for social inclusion and social community objectives are met through security of supportive environment with independence;
• Recurring costs of management salary may be sought from other sources (donors, families and carer programs).
• Housing for Life is solutions driven to the housing shortage particularly for people with a disability.

• by committing funds/donations

• A Tax Deductable Charity – will own Units in the Waverley Unit Trust, thehe Units representing real property of the Manager’s apartment and Common area of the Complex
• When successful, the H4L QLD model may be replicated.

The governance structure has been designed to protect the interests of the residents, now, and in perpetuity. Originally, participants intended the venture to be privately funded. However, escalating construction costs and unavoidable delays meant that external resources may also be required on an on-going basis - hence the structure enables tax deductible donor contributions to be made. Key elements are outlined below:

• Housing for Life Qld is a company limited by guarantee, an Income Tax Exempt Charity with Deductible Gift Recipient status, the only shareholder in Waverly Housing Apartments Ltd, which it manages.
• Waverley Housing Apartments Ltd, a company limited by shares, is a wholly owned subsiduary of Housing for Life Qld and Trustee for the Waverley Unit Trust.
• Waverley Unit Trust – Participants will own Units in the Trust, which gives them/their family member the right to a long-term lease of an apartment. Rental income received from residents will go towards operating costs and may provide a return to Unit Holders.
  

RESIDENT / FAMILY

A Resident / family may:

• If you are interested in participating in the project, complete the form (click here) registering your interest in H4L Qld
• Apply for to become a resident by completing purchasing Units in Waverley Unit Trust to the value of an apartment as prerequisite to developing an application for a resident. Cost of Units will be determined when final costing of the venture has been completed.
• Participate in developing the housing concept and supporting the organization by joining the working committee, contributing skills and making donations toward operating costs and a A resident will be required to develop a life plan and participate in community activity.

CLICK HERE FOR AN APPLICATION TO PURCHASE UNITS IN THE WAVERLEY UNIT TRUST
CLICK HERE FOR AN APPLICATION TOBECOME A RESIDENT

DONORS

Donors are invited to contribute according to their level of interest:

• Contributing to the funding  of H4L QLD units in Waverley Unit Trust, representing real property of the carers/managers unit/common area.
• Annual contribution for operational support..
• Support a resident - $100 per month
• Donation choice.

CLICK HERE FOR AN APPLICATION TO MAKE A DONATION

Donors are encouraged to participate in the governance and social activities of Housing for Life to support residents and management team, maintain organizational focus and derive value from their contribution to the social capital of Australia.

Prospective residents are already meeting on a casual basis to get to know each other and enjoy social outings. Events that have already proven beneficial include:

• Barbecue and cricket at Slaughter Falls and.
• Fish and Chips at Wynnum

Residents nominate preferences for activities and are supported with organization. Future options include: coffee and a movie.

Gatherings such as these are important for building community of interest, and residents looking forward to their house for life.