RENOVATORS have been transforming a Beldon home to help people with disabilities who want to live independently.
Owners Deb Saville and Lindsay Breach are renovating their property for the MAD (Making a Difference) House Project.
The Iluka residents have set it up as a living legacy, providing multi-purpose, affordable, quality housing for a person with a disability – possibly a student – to live in a ‘shared housemate’ environment.
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ECU’s legacy gifts coordinator Susan Morrow came up with the MAD House Project idea so the couple could see their dream realised while they were still alive.
Others involved include Future Living Trust chief executive Yvonne Parnell, whose organisation helps families secure accommodation for adult offspring with disabilities when parents can no longer care for them.
“We wanted to keep our houses going in ‘perpetuity so someone else could have a home, and so we will donate them to Future Living,” Mr Breach said.
“We wish to set up a scholarships endowment fund with ECU – Deb and I are both educators and know the power that education can have in changing people’s lives.”
Their goal is to have three people sharing the house, all benefiting from the shared rent and expenses as well as companionship.
Paralympian Priya Cooper and Disability Minister Stephen Dawson recently visited the MAD House to see progress of the project, which is expected to finish next month.
Flick Realty Joondalup will manage the property and chief executive Mike Wilding said recent work had including internal painting, kitchen installation and window installation.
Mr Wilding and his wife Donna, as well as INTU Property owner Sue Daley and Maiolo Construction owner Joe Maiolo, have helped secure materials and tradespeople for free.
Ms Saville’s parents Gwen and Brian have donated furniture for the house.
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