HUNTER HOUSING AND SUPPORT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

HOUSING AND SUPPORT DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS

Few things are more fundamental than having somewhere to live, and living as independently as possible. Having little to no choice about where to live, or who to live with has a profound impact on mental and physical health, and the ability to participate in community life.

PEOPLE UNDER 50 ARE AT RISK OF ADMISSION TO NURSING HOMES EACH YEAR IN AUSTRALIA

600

6000

200

PEOPLE UNDER 65 LIVING IN NURSING HOMES

OVER

PEOPLE UNDER 50 LIVING IN NURSING HOMES

NEARLY

NEARLY

The Summer Foundation’s housing demonstration projects are concrete examples of housing options for young people with high and complex support needs living in nursing homes. Our housing model is a contemporary one that brings accessible and affordable housing and support together with smart home technology to give individuals greater choice and control over how they live. The right housing and support in the right location can increase a person’s quality of life and independence, while reducing lifetime care costs.

Our long-term vision is that our model of housing for people with disability is routinely included in all new medium and  high-density residential developments throughout Australia. 

This would create the scale and range of housing options needed for both young people in nursing homes and other people with disability who have potential for more independent living.

The demonstration models being developed by the Summer Foundation have a very strong focus on supporting people to:

• Be as independent and included as possible

• Have as much control over their home environment as possible

• Have a home environment that can support maintenance of family roles and contact with friends and family.

ABOUT THE SUMMER FOUNDATIONThe Summer Foundation was established in 2006 with its key aim to change human service policy and practice related to young people in nursing homes. We want to create, lead and demonstrate long-term sustainable changes that stop young people from being forced to live in nursing homes because there is nowhere else for them to go.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONFind out more about our housing projects : www.summerfoundation.org.au/housing

The Hunter Housing Project consists of ten apartments for people with disability peppered throughout a 110-unit private development. An additional apartment accommodates an office and sleepover space for disability support workers.

ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES (APARTMENT) • Min. 1.2m wide corridors• 950mm clear opening doors • Flexible open plan kitchen, dining and living• Larger spaces to enable multi-sided approach• Flush levels throughout, including into external areas• Switches and controls offset 600mm above finished

floor level and from corners

COMMON AREA FEATURES• Push-button radio-frequency fob for building and

apartment entry

• Wi-Fi and radio-frequency capacity in lift

• Corridor widths min. 1.5m wide

• Movement sensor-operated doors in common areas

• Generator backup for essential services (min. 4 hrs)

• Secure covered taxi drop-off in underground carpark

• One accessible carpark and cage store per apartment• Step-free courtyard on first floor

THE HUNTER HOUSING PROJECT

WHAT 30 YEAR OLD

WOULD WANT TO

LIVE AT HOME WITH

THEIR PARENTS?

APARTMENT FEATURES• One Livable Housing Australia Platinum

‘Plus’ accessible bedroom and bathroom • Open-plan kitchen, dining and living• Private courtyard or balcony• Second toilet or bathroom

DESIGN OBJECTIVES• Mainstream products for residential home-like look • Accessible, functional and “multi-use” design • Cost-effective options for minor adaptation • Safety to support independence• Re-sale potential on open market (e.g. capacity to

remove features)• Range of apartments to suit different household setups• Non-identifiable within building

BEN PARKINSONBen acquired his brain injury eight years ago. He currently lives at home with his parents, an arrangement that is not sustainable long term.

This year, Ben received the news that he had been accepted as a tenant in the Summer Foundation’s Hunter Housing Project. He is very excited about moving into his new home, which he has already named “Parko’s Pad”.

3

APARTMENT DESIGN FEATURES

LIGHTING• Controls mounted at accessible height*

SMOKE DETECTORS• Dual-stage detects smoke/heat, to prevent false alarms • Turn on lights and alert support staff and/or the fire brigade

WALL SWITCHES• Reprogrammable to control automated features as needed

IPAD AND CHARGER• RTI interface allows flexibility to customise as needed

TECHNOLOGY FEATURESEMERGENCY COMMUNICATION• Tenant alerts made via wall buttons, pendant/watch or iPad

• Alerts received by staff via deskphone, mobile phone or iPad

• Tenant/staff communication via ceiling microphones and speakers, or intercom

SAFETY SENSORS & ALERTS• Temperature sensor (integrated into climate control panel)

• Capacity for motion sensors, door use sensors

PRE-WIRING FOR AUTOMATION • To all doors, private gates, blinds and windows, for control via

wall switches or iPad (wall switch for key external doors only)

INTERCOM• Control panel mounted at accessible height*

HEATING AND COOLING• Wall switch / control panel at accessible height*

BUILDING FABRIC FLOORING• Direct-stuck flooring (without underlay, directly to slab)• Timber-look vinyl flooring in living areas• Dense-weave carpet tiles and woven vinyl in bedrooms • Non-slip tiles in bathrooms

WALLS• 12mm FC lining throughout for durability and capacity to

retrofit grabrails• Wall corner guards for protection

*with capacity to be controlled via iPad

4

Opposite: Wall switch, climate control and iPad used to control smart home technology features

Bottom left: Emergency communication call button

Bottom right: Automation of door

WM

BED 1

BATH 1

BATH 2

BED 2ENTRY

FR

KITCHEN / DINING /

LIVING

TWO SHOWERHEADS AND MIXERS• Allows for increased sensitivity to cold

and helps when given assistance

FIXED / FOLDING SCREENS• Provides flexibility

• Ease of use and does not stick to body

FLEXIBLE TOILET• Removable front panels allow for

alterable toilet position and type

• Steel framing and powerpoint allow for drop-down grabrails / sensor flush

HEAT LAMP• Assists those with sensitivity to the cold

LINEAR SHOWER STRIP DRAIN• Step-free single slope with strip

drain assists mobility and cognitive challenges

SHOWER NICHE • Provides standard residential

(home-like) look

VANITY BASIN• Height-adjustable via wall brackets,

to allow knee clearance

SUCTION-CAP SHOWER SHELF• Allows for preferred positioning of shelf

SHOWER AND VANITY MIXER TAPS• Option for either standard or longer

lever as needed

PROVISION FOR THERMOSTATIC MIXING VALVE• Allows for adjustment of maximum

hot water temperature if needed

BATHROOM DESIGN

SCALE 1:100@A4 (1cm = 1m @ A4 SIZE)

SECURE ACCESS – (PUSH BUTTON RADIO FREQUENCY ELECTRONIC FOB)

EMERGENCY CALL BUTTON

TEMPERATURE WALL PANEL

INTERCOM

APARTMENT PLAN

HUNTER DISPLAY APARTMENT (LEVEL TWO)

KEY

5

6

BENCHTOP FINISH• Lightweight laminate allows for height adjustments

• Reinforced edging protection

CABINETRY HANDLES• Easy-grip D-pull handles

MOBILE ISLAND BENCH • Larger ‘roll-under’ workspace (with capacity for accessible

storage)

KITCHEN DESIGNHEIGHT-ADAPTABLE BENCH• Via replacement of base plinth with a lower or higher plinth

• Longer splashback to allow for lowering of benchtop

• Rangehood and powerpoints installed higher

HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE BENCH • Bench with integrated sink and cooktop (one apartment only)

• Allows use by several people with varied abilities, e.g. a family

• Automatic pushbutton or manual control

IN-SLAB POWERPOINT• Allows for use of appliances

on mobile island bench

7

REMOVABLE CABINETRY BELOW BENCHTOP CORNERS• Options to improve corner access for seated or reclined

users, by removing cabinetry or shelving

OVERHEAD STORAGE UNITS• One unit easily lowerable, while retaining standard

residential look

PULL-OUT BINS• Improves reach to bins

PULL-OUT CHOPPING BOARD• Small roll-under workspace for seated users

PULL-OUT PANTRY• Improves reach to pantry

• Capacity to automate pantry via plug-in motor

PULL-OUT HEAT-PROOF TRAY • Provides additional safety for those with reduced strength

TASK LIGHTING• Continuous strip lighting improves usability and safety

SINK TAP• Option for either standard or longer lever as needed

REMOVABLE CABINETRY BELOW SINKS AND COOKTOPS• Knee clearance improves access for seated users

APPLIANCESOVEN• Side opening door and fully extendable telescopic

shelves reduce reach

INDUCTION COOKTOP • No flames and controlled heating zones increases safety

• Touch-controls (no lifting of pots over raised knobs)

• Breaker switch mounted in easily reached position

RANGEHOOD• Control switch mounted in easily reached position

REVERSED FRIDGE-FREEZER• Everyday items at convenient height for seated user

MICROWAVE• Limited commands simplifies use

DISHWASHER DRAWER• Improves reach to dishwasher

POWERPOINTS• Pull-down powerpoints,

side-mounting preferred

LAUNDRY DESIGN FEATURESWASHING MACHINE AND DRYER• Proprietary plinth to raise washing machine

• Controls that require few steps and little effort to use

• Dryer can be flipped to make controls more accessible

ROLLER DOOR• Low-effort vertical roller; power provisions for automation

SummerFoundationLtd

@SummerFoundtn

Summer Foundation Ltd. ABN: 90 117 719 516

PO Box 208, Blackburn VIC 3130

p: 1300 626 560 w: www.summerfoundation.org.ausummer-foundation-ltd

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BIR DOORS• Lightweight multi-panels enable increased control over

access and privacy

• Flush bottom track enables wheelchair users closer reach

BIR VERTICAL SHELVING UNITS• Re-locatable storage units to suit access preferences

• Wire baskets allow for easy identification of contents

• Powerpoint allows for the use of a TV or the charging of other electronic equipment

CEILING HOIST PROVISIONS• In-ceiling support and powerpoint for future XY system

(bedroom 1 and living room)

BEDROOM DESIGN (PLATINUM ‘PLUS’)

BLINDS• Separate privacy / blockout blinds for dignity when hoisting• Capacity to upgrade from manual to motorised if needed• Motor blinds controllable via wall switches, iPad or remote

EXTERNAL DOOR• Alternative egress path in case of a fire

DOOR TO BATHROOM• Provides privacy if hoisting is needed

HEATING & COOLING• Second outlet for zoning and increased temperature control

STEP-FREE FLOORING THRESHOLDS• Tiles on buzon feet

SENSOR LIGHTING• Increases safety and security

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOURView an interactive virtual tour of our Hunter Housing Project display apartment showcasing some of the key design and smart home technology features. View the tour at: www.summerfoundation.org.au/v-tour

FIND OUT MOREWe aim to share the knowledge we have gathered about our housing projects, and encourage others to replicate it. Reports on our projects can be downloaded for free at: www.summerfoundation.org.au/resources

PRIVATE BALCONY AND COURTYARD