HORSHAM'S Oscar Building has helped develop a prototype for portable housing for young people with disabilities.
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The portable housing aims to keep young people out of aged care facilities, and allows them to leave hospitals quicker.
Oscar Building worked in conjunction with Melbourne organisation, Summer Foundation, to develop the prototype.
Once permits are approved, a portable house takes about four weeks to build.
It is equipped with wide doorways, a disability accessible bathroom, ceiling hoists in the bedroom, voice-activated appliances and height-adjustable benches and sinks.
The Summer Foundation will work with Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers to make the housing available under National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Oscar Building director of housing Matthew Op De Coul said the project had the potential to reduce the number of young people admitted to aged care across Australia.
It was initiated last year.
"We have built the project to demonstrate an option for people with accessible needs and to fit within the NDIS framework," he said.
Mr Op De Coul said the company was working with developers and seeking sites across Victoria and within regional centres.
"We are working with Specialist Disability Accommodation housing developers, to find sites that would be suitable. Once we find the sites, we will start working on rolling out some accommodations sites," he said.
"It will be very helpful for people trying to find options in regional areas, because it is exceptionally difficult."
The modular and transportable functionality of the portable houses will allow the project to be completed much faster. Each measures about 60 square metres.
"Otherwise, it takes a really long time to find a suitable accommodation or to make the appropriate modifications to their existing homes," Mr Op De Coul said.
"The kitchens are specialised with lots of height adjustability and drop-down cupboards.
"But the most notable and important thing about this building is that we have gone to great lengths to make sure that it looks like a really nice place to live.
"A lot of times, accessible housing looks like a hospital. The unit has a good feel, it is light, bright and has good materials in it."
Mr Op De Coul said there was real need for such projects - particularly in rural areas.
"There is a major shortage of this type of accommodation Australia wide. We are really excited that we can be part of that solution," he said.
"It's going to be a viable option for many people."
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