Geraldton residents with a non-acute mental illness now have a new choice in housing with the opening of 10 self-contained units.

Health Minister Jim McGinty said the new $2million project would provide 14 people with the opportunity to manage their illness while receiving living skills support and around the clock care.

“Too often Geraldton people with a mental illness have been forced to move to Perth to get the accommodation support they need,” Mr McGinty said.

“Alternatively, they live unsupported in the community or with family members who often find it hard to cope.

“Consultation with people with non-acute mental illnesses, their carers and advocacy groups consistently indicates that a real choice in housing is what these people want - and that is what these units will deliver.”

The Geraldton units are the first of a new model of accommodation being built in regional centres and throughout Perth as part of the State Government’s $173million Mental Health Strategy. The Community Supported Residential Units (CSRUs) will enable people to live as independently as possible in their community, while still receiving the care and supervision they require.

The Geraldton CSRUs will be managed by local not-for-profit, non-Government organisation Fusion WA, with clinical support provided by the Central West Mental Health Service.

“Fusion WA and the local mental health service are working to identify people with low-to-medium support needs who are suitable for this type of accommodation,” Mr McGinty said.

“The residents will be able to manage their illness but may need some assistance with handling their finances, rebuilding vocational skills and integrating with the community.”

The first residents will move in next week.

The homes are on the south-east corner of the Geraldton Health Campus and face onto Onslow Street.

State Director of Fusion Australia Andrew Braun said there had been a significant rise in the number of people with mental health issues looking for accommodation since the organisation first began operating in Geraldton 23 years ago.

“This new service gives us a wonderful opportunity to provide the level of care, support and community connection that these people deserve,” Mr Braun said.

“This is an opportunity to not just provide a bed and a place to stay but to take people on a journey; a journey back to discovering more of life and how it was meant to be lived.”

Geraldton MLA Shane Hill said it was great to see that Geraldton people would be the first to benefit from the new style of community-based accommodation and care.

“For a long time the Geraldton community has been telling me there is a real need for locally based supported mental health accommodation,” Mr Hill said.

“I am thrilled to see this vision become a reality for local people, who will now enjoy a new independence and a better quality of life.”

Similar units will open in Albany in December and construction is well under way on groups of units in Busselton, Bunbury and Bentley.   Planning is approved and design work is continuing for units in Stirling, Middle Swan and Armadale and further homes are being planned.

 Photos of the Official CSRU Opening in Geraldton: