BlueCHP has proudly celebrated the official opening of its first Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) development in Victoria, marking an exciting new chapter in the organisation’s commitment to delivering high-quality, participant-led disability housing across eastern Australia.
Located in Mentone, a bayside suburb in Melbourne’s south-east, the purpose-built homes have been delivered in partnership with Bayley House, and represent BlueCHP’s first completed SDA in the state. The project reflects close collaboration between future residents, their families, allied health professionals, support providers, and project partners, to create homes tailored to the people who will call them home.
The opening was celebrated on Tuesday 14 July, with the new residents and their families, alongside project partners, and Victorian Members of Parliament Brad Rowswell MP, Member for Sandringham, and James Newbury MP, Member for Brighton, who joined BlueCHP and Bayley House for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
A participant-led approach
From the outset, the development was shaped around the people who would ultimately call it home.
Through BlueCHP’s Participant-led Guide You Home program, the future residents and their support teams participated in an extensive co-design process. Families, occupational therapists, support coordinators and SIL Provider, Bayley House, contributed their knowledge of each participant’s goals, preferences, daily routines, and support requirements.
While some elements were determined by SDA design standards and functional requirements, many of the homes’ features were directly informed by the individual needs and preferences of the residents. This ensured the finished homes would support greater independence, safety, dignity, and long-term liveability.
Thoughtfully designed for independence and connection
The development comprises two self-contained homes within an integrated duplex with:
- One 3-Resident Improved Liveability (IL) Home
- One 2-Resident High Physical Support (HPS) Villa
- Dedicated Onsite Overnight Assistance (OOA) facilities
- Shared landscaped outdoor areas that encourage connection while respecting residents’ privacy.
Each home includes spacious living areas, contemporary kitchens, well-equipped laundries and individual ensuites. The design enables residents to enjoy their own personal space while also providing opportunities to spend time together with housemates and neighbours.
The development was intentionally created as an alternative to a traditional group-home model. It supports residents who want to live alongside people they already know while maintaining greater independence, choice and privacy.
Personalised features incorporated through the co-design process include assistive technology, automated doors, specialised locking systems, additional lighting, generous storage, accessible work surfaces and carefully considered spaces for residents’ hobbies and interests.
Purpose-built accessibility features and contemporary finishes ensure the properties feel exactly as they should—like warm, welcoming homes—while providing the specialised support each resident requires.
Celebrating strong partnerships
The official opening also recognised the collaboration and commitment required to bring the development to life.
BlueCHP worked closely with Bayley House as the Supported Independent Living provider, Harnest as the builder and de.arch Architecture & Interiors as the project architect.
BlueCHP also acknowledges For Purpose Investment Partners, whose ongoing support helped make the project possible.
Together with the residents, their families, allied health professionals and support teams, these organisations shared a commitment to creating homes that reflect contemporary expectations for disability housing and respond meaningfully to the needs of the people living in them.
A significant milestone for BlueCHP SDA in Victoria
The completion of BlueCHP’s first Victorian SDA development marks an important step in the organisation’s continued expansion of specialist disability housing across Australia.
When construction commenced in 2025, BlueCHP described the project as the beginning of a new chapter in its Victorian SDA work and committed to delivering tailored homes designed with and for the people who would call them home. The official opening now celebrates the fulfilment of that commitment.
While the development represents a significant organisational milestone, its true importance lies in what it means for the residents: greater independence, security and choice within homes designed around their individual lives and futures.
These are more than specialist disability properties. They are forever homes where residents can build meaningful connections, feel safe and supported, and live with greater confidence for years to come.