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. They represent BlueCHP’s first completed SDA homes in Victoria. The project reflects close collaboration between future residents, their families, allied health professionals, support providers, and project partners. Together, this collaboration created homes tailored to the participants and their support staff.
The opening was celebrated on Tuesday 14 July with the new residents and their families, Brad Rowswell MP, Member for Sandringham, and James Newbury MP, Member for Brighton, and project partners, who joined team members from both BlueCHP and Bayley House. The morning included an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and morning tea.
A participant-led approach
From the outset, this development was shaped around the future residents. Through BlueCHP’s Participant-led Guide You Home program, the future housemates and their support teams participated in an extensive co-design process. Families, occupational therapists, support coordinators and Supported Independent Living (SIL) Provider, Bayley House all contributed. They shared their knowledge of each participant’s goals, preferences, daily routines, and support requirements.
Some elements were determined by SDA design standards and functional requirements. Many others were shaped by the individual needs and preferences of the residents. As a result, the finished homes will support greater independence, safety, dignity, and long-term liveability for each resident.
“We do this for the participants and their families, not for building houses and saying what a great balance sheet. We do it for the people we have here, the families, because we know the difference it makes in their lives. It gives them peace of mind because they know when they pass their loved ones will still be here and cared for.”
-Charles Northcote, BlueCHP CEO
Thoughtfully designed for independence and connection
The development is an integrated duplex which comprises two self-contained homes:
- One 3-Resident Improved Liveability (IL) House
- 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.
BlueCHP designed the development 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.
The co-design process introduced personalised features throughout the homes. These include assistive technology, automated doors, specialised locking systems, additional lighting, generous storage, accessible work surfaces and spaces for residents’ hobbies and interests.
Purpose-built accessibility features and contemporary finishes ensure the properties feel exactly as they should, —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 has a partnership with Bayley House as the SIL Provider. The BlueCHP team also worked closely with a number of project delivery partners, including Harnest as the builder, and de.arch Architecture & Interiors as the project architect.
BlueCHP also acknowledges For Purpose Investment Partners, whose ongoing support has helped make the project possible.
Together with the residents, their families, allied health professionals and support teams, these organisations share a commitment to creating homes that reflect contemporary disability housing. Their shared goal is to deliver homes that respond to each resident’s individual needs.
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 eastern Australia.
When construction commenced in 2025, BlueCHP described the project as the beginning of a new chapter in its Victorian SDA journey. BlueCHP 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.