Updated on December 18, 2024

What Is a Group Home?
A group home is a home specially designed to cater to adults with intellectual disabilities and house many residents. It blends in well with the community in which it is located, helping its residents feel connected to their local neighborhood, and socialize with everyone around them. This form of assisted living helps to empower its residents, gain more independence, and learn how to care for and access help when needed.
A group home can be considered a mini-community for residents, one in which they can rely, whenever they need help, be it physically or mentally. Group home residents typically live in a shared home and receive support from trained and experienced staff members, who work in shifts so that care is available 24/7. This gives family members of group home residents peace of mind that their loved ones are not completely alone.
Who Qualifies For Group Homes?
Group Homes are for people with disabilities and behavioral issues. However, a group home must meet the NDIS criteria to qualify for SDA funding (Specialist Disability Funding). According to the NDIS (Specialist Disability Scheme) Rules 2016, group homes are referred to as houses that enrol four to five residents for better assistance and are classified as:
1. Building Class 1.
2. Building Class 3 under the Building Code of Australia.
They may be used as a transition place before the individual can live independently. While some of the residents of the home may be mentally unstable, others may suffer from substantial abuse.
Group homes provide assisted living to people living with disabilities, who cannot cater for themselves. As a result, they establish routines, healthy habits, and reintegration into society for some people who become fit over time.
Living In A Group Home – What It’s Like
For a group home resident, there is access to a lot of amenities, and these include, social activities, recreation rooms, cooking facilities, transportation services, housekeeping staff, maintenance teams, and around-the-clock support.
Because of the delicacy of its residents, group homes offer a safe, supportive living environment for adults with special needs. Some of its rooms may be private, whereas others can be shared. There are communal areas where residents can relax, enjoy hobbies, or watch TV.
A group home is supposed to house around 4 to 5 residents under one roof and around two members of staff. This is a safe environment where adults are able to improve their quality of life with help when they need it.
Types of Group Homes
There are different types of group homes available, and to find the one that best suits you, it is important to do a lot of research or speak to a specialist. Each group home has its benefits and drawbacks, and since some may be small, they offer personalized care to each individual.
Staff members in a group home often have extensive first-hand experience with intellectual disabilities or behavioral disorders, so they know how best to support residents daily.
1. Developmentally Disabled
This type of residency is for people with permanent disabilities that may cause mental and physical problems. The residents in this type of group home struggle to live alone, allowing the group homes to offer care and support whilst respecting individual wishes to learn how to care for themselves and carry out certain daily tasks.
Assisted living combines professional care with person-centred support. Residents can enjoy onsite activities, outings such as bowling, dining out, and shopping, as well as life skills training to help build independence.
2. Youth Homes
These types of homes are for teenagers and young adults who may have run away from their family home. It could be a sanctuary for them, however there are rules in place to properly run the home and its residents.
These rules may include a curfew, as well as restricting its visitors, all these to keep the inhabitants safe. This type of group home may not necessarily house people with disabilities as its staff may not have the proper facilities for that.
3. Substance-Abuse Recovery
This is a home for drug addicts. When a person has become addicted to drugs or substances, they may be referred to homes like this to help break the habit and stay clean. These homes are designed to help addicts break their habits and learn to avoid scenarios that may make them fall back in.
These homes have carers who are highly experienced in these fields and are readily available to understand what the residents are going through and spot red flags.
4. Low-Income Group Homes
The group homes are for people who are struggling financially. From single mothers who are unable to make enough to cover their bills to senior members of the community who cannot afford healthcare. Low-income group homes act as a safety net and provide financial safety.
How Can I Apply To A Group Home and How Much Does It Cost?
The NDIS funding for accommodation in a group home for people living with disabilities is only available to those with high-level functional impairments or high support needs under SDA.
However, this funding covers only services and support provided. You will need to determine if you or your loved one qualify for the SDA funding, through the NDIA’s assessment and planning process.
The funding under SDA supports the assistance and services needed in these situations rather than the costs of the accommodations themselves. Expenses such as rent, groceries, utilities, telephones, and internet access, as well as general household items such as furniture, appliances, and cooking utensils, are the responsibility of the participant or may be supported through other government or non-government programs.
The cost of living at group homes is comparable to that of similar quality traditional nursing homes – but the care and lifestyle are very different. Your daily fees are made up of two components – a rental for the bedroom and the costs of your care. You can see the prices here.
Conclusion
Group Homes are residential living spaces for people with disabilities of any kind. However, they can vary depending on the type of problem an individual may have. Doing adequate research or speaking to a specialist can give you a proper idea of how to access and visit the right home.
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