Direct NFP Funding In Labor's Disability Policy
29 July 2010 at 4:16 pm
A re-elected Labor Government would establish a new capital fund to build community-based supported accommodation places for people with disabilities.
Announcing the Gillard Government's disability policy, the Prime Minister has pledged to provide capital grants to community organisations to construct up to 150 new supported accommodation or respite places.
For the first time, Gillard says a Labor Government it will be giving community organisations the opportunity to apply for direct capital funding from the Federal Government for supported accommodation.
The PM says community organisations are uniquely placed to develop accommodation options that capitalise on local support and resources, and meet the needs of people with disability in an inventive way.
The projects could include a modern renovation of an existing home so it can be used for supported accommodation, pooled resources to build a contemporary facility close to community and health services, or expanding an established facility.
The grants will be distributed through a tender process to innovative, community-led projects.
Organisations will need to demonstrate they have secured ongoing funding for the places, for example from a State or Territory Government, or from alternate funding sources such as philanthropy, or ancillary business activities.
Successful projects will adhere to best practice service standards with accommodation places to be completed by 2014.
Non-government organisations, community organisations and State and Territory agencies will be encouraged to apply with a total of $60 million to be provided over the next four years.
Gillard says this funding is on top of the more than $6 billion provided to the States and Territories over five years from 2009 through the National Disability Agreement.
The Federal Government also provided $100 million in capital funds in May 2008 for the States and Territories to build more than 300 supported accommodation places for people with a severe disability being looked after by ageing carers.
To Read this policy go to: http://www.alp.org.au/agenda/more—policies/supported-accommodation-for-people-with-disability/
