Aruma has officially opened the doors to its seven new, two-bedroom Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) housing in Werrington.
Stakeholders were able to take a look at the purpose-built apartments, which cater for people with a disability, this week.
Aruma’s Regional Manager, Yasmin Alameddin, said she is excited for the new tenants to be able to move into a place where their mobility and disability support needs will be met.
“It’s no secret as a nation we are experiencing an ongoing demand for affordable housing. The scarcity of appropriate social housing is only increasing and causing strain,” she said.
“Currently, there are 16 people with a disability in the immediate Penrith and St Marys areas alone looking for a suitable property that meets their needs. That number rises to around 70 across other western Sydney suburbs.”
Located close to the centre of Penrith, these apartments come with open plan kitchens, heating and cooling throughout, and a shared backyard for residents to enjoy.
They also include accessible features, such as wide door frames, adjustable benches, and provision for voice-controlled features.
Antonella Acampora attended the opening on Wednesday to see if one would be suitable for her daughter to live in.
“This seems to be the right sort of place for her,” she told the Weekender.
“She’s got all the independence she needs, and if she needs any help she can just call on a support worker.
“It’s clean, it’s brand new, and from what I’ve seen, the staff are willing to help and make it fun as well.”
Aruma Customer Engagement Manager, Bianca Von Clark, said there has been a lot of interest in the apartments.
“We’ve had some great interest and a lot of EOI’s but not everyone is ready to move in,” she said.
“One of the challenges is that sometimes the NDIS can be really slow to make decisions, and people won’t get the funding that aligns with their support needs.”
Alameddin said it’s been amazing to see people’s faces light up when they see the apartments and realise that they’re built to meet their needs.
“Access to safe and accessible housing is a fundamental human right. We’re happy to be able to provide these apartments for people with a disability,” she said.
“These homes offer people with a disability a lifestyle full of independence, pride, and comfort.”
Formerly with the ABC, Makayla is a graduate of Western Sydney University. She covers a variety of news topics for the Weekender, including courts.
