Our history
The Housing Connection was established in 1981,
by a group of parents and other interested people,
who were seeking community based support options
for adults with an intellectual disability. The organisation commenced with pilot funding,
to establish a home for people who needed
behavioural support.
The group established a 24-hour home for people who needed behavioural support. The idea was that the house would provide training and support to develop independent living skills and to enable a move to more independent living. In 1988, this home provided permanent accommodation for 4 individuals with moderate support needs and coincided with four people living in the house moving into more independent living.
In 1989, the current concept of The Housing Connection in response to needs identified by Parents and Relatives for the Implementation of Services (PARIS) a group of parents, and a sub-committee of Action for Citizens with Disabilities, together with the Lower North Shore Developmental Disability Team.
PARIS found that the most pressing need of people with an intellectual disability on the Lower North Shore was for supported accommodation. They lacked opportunities and support to develop the skills necessary to find, secure and maintain a place of their own in the local community. PARIS, therefore, approached the Lower North Shore Disabled Persons Action Group to extend their present Accommodation Support Program to support another ten to twelve people in their chosen form of accommodation in the Lower North Shore area. As a result Drop-In services were developed and remain a key service model today.
The Housing Connection is funded under section 10 of the Disability Services Act (DSA) 1993, and operates according to the Principles and Objectives contained in this Act. The Housing Connection is an Incorporated Association, which is “not for gain” and has comprehensive policy and procedures to comply with relevant legislation including the DSA, Occupational Health and Safety and Governance policies.
Click here to read our Mission >>
Back to the top ^
Board of management
A voluntary Board of management, who are elected each year at the Annual General Meeting, oversees the organisation.
The Board meets monthly and oversee the financial management of the organisation, its direction and policy development. Governance policies have been developed which outlines the scope of activities and responsibilities of the Board.
A representative of the Board sits on the Support Allocation and Monitoring Committee, which oversees the quality of support services, and as required sub-committees are established for particular activities such as fundraising.
Copies of the Annual Report are available on request.
Back to the top ^
|
