UnitingSA has agreed to renovate its Regency Green aged care home, which it closed in May, to become temporary supported accommodation for NDIS participants who have been placed in hospitals.
The aged care site in Regency Park, an inner northern suburb of Adelaide, will provide 24 beds as part of the first stage to help support approximately 230 discharge-ready NDIS participants currently stranded in hospital beds.
More than half are ready for discharge and no longer need acute hospital care or clinical input, and some have been in beds for more than 100 days as they await NDIS approvals, services or suitable accommodation.
“Repurposing this former aged care home will help bridge the gap for NDIS participants who need support while permanent housing is secured,” UnitingSA Chief Executive Jenny Hall said.
Adelaide-based specialist disability service provider Community Living Options will provide 24-hour support and care at the site as part of the first stage.
Afterwards, Regency Green will also become home to refugees escaping war-torn countries like Afghanistan and Ukraine as part of a partnership with AMES Australia, an organisation that helps support refugees as they transition into new lives in SA.
Jenny said the Regency Green site will be developed into an affordable housing precinct.
“But this will take time, and we are pleased to be able to offer this support in the interim,” she added.
