This accessible group home in Sippy Downs was commissioned by Ausmar Assist in 2015 to provide 24/7 live-in care for 4 disabled residents in a suburban context to allow residents feel part of the community. By its design it was to also provide a good neighbour feel to the streetscape rather than an institutional one. It is leased by Coast2Bay for its clients with day to day care by Synapse.

The home opened in 2016 and has since won 5 awards:

2016 - HIA Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay Housing Awards - Specialised Housing

2016 - HIA Qld State - Specialised Housing

2017 - Australian Housing Institute - Highly Commended Leading Housing Development Project Award

2017 - Master Builders Sunshine Coast Housing & Construction Award - Lifestyle Housing for High Care Needs, Disabled and Seniors

2017 Master Builders State Award - Lifestyle Housing for High Care Needs, Disable and Seniors

As the plan shows, four accessible bedrooms each have their own accessible bathroom and private courtyard. A live in carer's suite is also provided near the entry and garage. The garage, which contains an open laundry area with multiple washing machines, can be accessed from the home interior via a large glass auto sliding door.

At the north end of the house, the central hall opens out to an open living/ dining/ kitchen area which in turn leads to a landscaped alfresco area with BBQ.

A Synapse carer who has worked in the disability sector for 26 years describes it as the "only house of its type on the Coast, that I know of, designed from the ground up to cater for disabled people."

"This is a very well designed house. I have the privilege of working in this new home in Sippy Downs." - Melissa Batson - Ausmar Assist Facebook page

Copy the link below to hear what one new resident told the Sunshine Coast Daily after living there

https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/the-sippy-downs-home-that-is-changing-peoples-live/3153294/?fbclid=IwAR1CBlkf2ctHeGZ8IuzV43_ASM1V1U8U-dJiyMW4gtRuk-3ux_KOejXE0p0