Abstract:

All Australian States and Territories have programmes to close or downsize institutions for intellectually disabled people. This study collected data on each of these programmes, to provide the first national snapshot of the projected numbers of people moving from institutions to community-based housing. It aimed to predict the effect of deinstitutionalisation on housing markets and to assess how effectively and appropriately the housing needs of intellectually disabled people were being met in the community. The research team aimed to help policy makers, especially those in State/Territory housing agencies, to better understand the increasingly complex and challenging links between deinstitutionalisation, community care and housing for people with disabilities