BRIMBANK residents with disabilities living in state-run residential units will have to pay thousands of dollars more in board and lodging after the state government increased fees for people living in supported care.
Fees will rise by 50 per cent from July 1, consuming 75 per cent of the disability support pension.
The government says the increase will put Victoria on par with other states and in line with accommodation run by the community sector. Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALID) chief executive Kevin Stone said the rise would cost people with disabilities living in Brimbank at least $5000 a year more.
“It’s disgusting,” he told the Weekly. “These people are among society’s poorest and it will have a devastating impact on their way of life, particularly in the west where many of the most vulnerable people are already struggling.”
Mr Stone said many people with disabilities living in state-run residential units had high medical costs.
“Many of them rely on physiotherapy and other medical costs they may not be able to afford,” he said. “There will be cuts to their quality of life.”
Keilor MP Natalie Hutchins said the fee hike would make supported accommodation unaffordable for many residents already struggling. “It’s disgusting and a direct attack on the most disadvantaged people in our community.”
A government spokesman said the average annual cost of supporting a resident in DHS accommodation was $128,000. The new fees would bring the average government contribution per resident to about $17,500 a year.
