Cedar Woods to create disability housing in Clayton South community

31 July 2020

ASX-listed developer Cedar Woods has partnered with Summer Housing to deliver homes for people living with disabilities in its latest apartment project in Clayton South.

Not-for-profit foundation Summer Housing has purchased 11 properties within the new 165-unit Huntington Apartments, 10 of which will be designed for people with disabilities and one for a carer. The development is located within Cedar Woods’ masterplanned community in the south-east, Jackson Green.

The single level apartments will be modified to achieve Platinum level certification under the Liveable Housing Design Guidelines and will meet high physical support design requirements under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Modification will include making the apartments wheelchair-friendly; with additional consideration to kitchen design, doorway width and emergency power solutions. The homes will also feature structural provisions for ceiling hoists and the integration of assistive technology to promote independence, safety and security.

A communications system will enable tenants to contact off-site support workers in the event of an emergency or unplanned support need.

Cedar Woods state manager Lloyd Collins says he is delighted to be providing a solution for young people living with disabilities in the popular new community.

“Located within the Jackson Green community, residents will be able to enjoy easy access to nearby amenities, public transport and more. These low-maintenance apartments will allow occupants to live as independently as possible,” says Collins.

“We are committed to establishing a strong sense of community through providing accessible, affordable and diverse accommodation, which is further strengthened by this new partnership.”

Dan McLennan, chief executive at Summer Housing, says he looks forward to providing housing that promotes independence and inclusion for people with disability.

“The right housing in the right location can make a significant difference to a person’s quality of life. These are homes that anyone would want to live in, they just so happen to be work for people living with a disability,” says McLennan.

“Embedded within a close-knit community with access to great public transport links, retail, green space and more, Jackson Green was a perfect location.”

The partnership has been supported by Kingston City Council as part of their strategy to enhance the provision of affordable housing in the municipality.

"Summer Housing's mission to house people with disabilities in mainstream apartment projects is so important. Through partnering with Cedar Woods, they have created a welcome investment in the Kingston area," says Kingston Mayor Georgina Oxley.

Summer Housing's goal is to increase the range and scale of diverse housing options for people with disabilities who are living in, or at risk of admission to, residential aged care - particularly younger people.

Just 20 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, Jackson Green is well serviced by road and rail connections, including the Monash Freeway and the Cranbourne to Pakenham railway line. Residents are also close to Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton Shopping Centre, cafes, public and private schools,
hospitals and golf courses.

The apartment building has been designed by DKO Architecture and includes communal facilities such as a gym, landscaped podium courtyard and rooftop garden.

Construction of Huntington Apartments is underway and due for completion in 2021.