NSW: Speed up work on accommodation - Commissioner

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2001
NSW: Speed up work on accommodation - Commissioner

SYDNEY, Dec 13 AAP - The NSW government should speed up its work in ensuring appropriate
supported accommodation options to enable people with disabilities to live in the community,
the Community Services Commissioner said today.

Robert Fitzgerald said there was an urgent need to find effective ways to assist people
with disabilities who are most in need of accommodation, and that government needed to
lead the way in developing new living arrangements.

"It's not just about providing more beds," he said in a statement today.

"People with disabilities, their families and advocates should have choices about how
they live and how their support is provided."

Mr Fitzgerald's comments come as the commission releases a new publication, Living
Arrangements - A guide to Supported Accommodation for People with Disabilities, which
will be officially launched in Sydney this morning.

Both government and non-government services should develop more "person-centred" approaches
to supported accommodation, he said.

"The government invests over $147 million per year on accommodation support services
- the effectiveness of accommodation options should be evaluated so that we know the system
is working well and provides people with real choices," he said.

AAP kp/jnb/de

KEYWORD: ACCOMMODATION

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