Project Independence and the Parliamentary Friends of Housing

Housing plays an important role in supporting independence, choice, security, and belonging.

For people with intellectual disabilities, finding suitable housing that provides these things can be particularly challenging. At Project Independence, our work is focused on creating an innovative housing model that provides a pathway to home ownership and supports people with intellectual disabilities to live more independently.

Recently, Project Independence had the opportunity to contribute to the parliamentary conversation around disability housing through an ACT Legislative Assembly parliamentary hearing.

Bringing the experience of Project Independence to the conversation

Parliamentary inquiries and hearings provide an opportunity for organisations, individuals, and community representatives to share their experiences and perspectives on important issues.

For Project Independence, participating in this process provided an opportunity to share our experience of developing and delivering a supported homeownership model for people with intellectual disabilities.

Our model is based on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities should have the opportunity to live in their own homes, make choices about their lives, and be part of their local community.

The hearing also provided an opportunity for Project Independence residents Peter and Liam to share their experiences of living at Project Independence and the difference having their own home can make.

We were honoured to share the work Project Independence is doing and the gap we are working to fill in intellectual disability housing. The hearing was also attended by Senator David Pocock, Mr. Gabriel Ng MP, and Andrew Leigh MP.

Why housing choice matters

Housing is about more than having a roof over your head.

A home can provide stability, security, privacy, and a sense of belonging. Having a greater choice about where and how you live can also support people to develop confidence and independence.

Project Independence provides a pathway to home ownership that enables residents to gradually build equity in their property while living within a supportive community.

This approach is designed to help residents develop truly independent living skills, both within Project Independence and in the broader community.

It is one approach to inclusive housing that recognizes the importance of choice, opportunity, and belonging.

Continuing the conversation

Project Independence is proud to contribute our experience to these conversations and to continue advocating for greater choice and opportunity in housing.

We sincerely thank the representatives who took the time to hear about our work, and Senator David Pocock for the invitation and opportunity to share our experience.

We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to have a safe, secure place to call home — and for some people, that can include the opportunity to become a homeowner.