In just a few months, Hireup client Tara will unlock the door to her very own apartment, a milestone that once felt like a dream.
“I feel excited, awesome and so proud,” Tara says about her move.
While Tara is especially excited to have her “own space, privacy and rules”, her move is also about building independence, choice and the freedom to live as she wishes.
Australia’s housing market
Tara’s dream of independence and a secure home is one shared by many Australians.
However, for Australians with disability, this often feels unattainable.
The reality is stark: 13% of people with disability experience housing stress, 1.6X higher than people without a disability. The challenge is even greater for people receiving the Disability Support Pension with 1 in 3 private renters facing rental stress. For those hoping to access social housing, the wait times can stretch from 5 to 10 years.
A significant gap exists in accessing support needed in people’s homes too. While some individuals qualify for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), many others aren't eligible and they still need a home that meets their access and individual support needs.
A new way
To help tackle this national challenge, Hireup is collaborating with MyLife Community Housing.
We share a mutual vision – that everyone deserves a secure, accessible home and the right support to live the way they choose.
“Together we can enable more sustainable housing opportunities for people with disability and the people who support them, “ says Bianca, Home and Living Consultant at Hireup.
“Our joint vision is to create housing and support that’s inclusive, community-based and tailored to real lives.”
Karen Abdallah, Managing Director and Founder of MyLife Community Housing, is on the same page: “Affordable housing should never feel like a compromise. It should be thoughtfully designed, well located and something people feel proud to live in.”
So, how does the collaboration work?
MyLife Community Housing offers an alternative pathway for people with disability who may not require or be eligible for SDA funding, to access secure, accessible housing that supports independence and everyday living.
“Our affordable housing provides stable, quality rental homes for people on low to moderate incomes. It looks and feels like private rental housing, but is offered at below-market rents, typically 20-25% less than market value,” says Karen.
“We work with developers in the design phase… so, accessibility and thoughtful design are considered from the outset, not treated as an afterthought.”
Hireup PLUS is a service within Hireup that connects clients with a dedicated Support Team Lead who helps manage their team, life admin, living arrangements and other tailored support.
We work with clients who have a goal to move into their own home, and support them to identify and work on building important skills they need to live an independent life. Hireup also supports clients once they’ve moved in, actively working alongside them to ensure they are comfortable, thriving, and supported.
Partnering with MyLife Community Housing, Hireup clients are offered priority housing under a 15-year affordable housing scheme. They get to choose with who and how they want to live with a full support team to help them prepare.
Not only do Hireup clients get access to great, accessible housing, they have the opportunity to build relationships on a macro and micro level through Supportive Housemates, co-tenancy and supportive neighbour networks.
The common areas within the MyLife Community Housing apartment complexes facilitate these connections, with great communal areas and facilities to help the Hireup community to pursue their good life.
How does this work in real life?
As Tara counts down the weeks to move-in day, she’s not just preparing for a new address but a life where she can have her own space, privacy, rules and, importantly, independence.
With the support services of Hireup and the housing opportunities created by MyLife Community Housing, that next chapter feels not only possible, but within reach.
And for many more people like Tara, this is just the beginning. Through this collaboration, Hireup PLUS and MyLife Community Housing are helping turn the idea of independent living into a reality by building communities where people feel supported, connected, and at home.
