Ten young, excited Canberrans are supposed to be moving out of home for the first time, but this transition (a massive one for these people who have an intellectual disability) has been painfully delayed because of theft.
The home-leavers have been waiting for a year to move into their accommodation in Phillip, provided by Project Independence, (50 more people are on the wait-list), but everything that could possibly go wrong, has gone wrong.
Project Independence CEO Dianne O’Hara says the properties have been under development for four years and the recent theft of four dishwashers added insult to injury.
“By the time we had the land, we put in for a development application which caused further delays, then Covid hit, then build prices went up more than 47 per cent since we first started, then last year it rained and we lost months.”
While the 10 new home-leavers were excitedly buying furniture, a thief broke into the construction site and stole the newly-delivered dishwashers. One was destined for the main house where a disability support worker will live onsite, and three dishwashers were to be installed in two other houses containing one-bedroom units and kitchenettes.
Dianne says Project Independence relies on donations and goodwill to provide this housing (the ACT government provides the land) and she is hoping that Canberrans can donate to help meet the $20,000 cost to replace the dishwashers and install security.
“It did make us think about security as well,” Dianne says. “We want to put in security doors because it has to feel safe, it’s non-negotiable.
“It’s a constant catchup battle; we didn’t want to delay the build any longer because the plumbers are onsite. It’s getting there, it’s very close. These 10 people are in their late 20s and for a lot of them it’s their first step. They’re very excited.”
If you would like to donate, please visit: projectindependence.ddock.gives/?givingPageId=18557c5e-d245-4b3b-9b69-2d9d0ccc8828
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