Maria Vamvakinou MP today announced that the Rudd and Brumby Governments will provide a $520,543.50 funding boost to provide services such as home modifications, transport, meals, personal care and allied health and nursing care to assist older residents and people with a disability in Calwell.

The funding is being provided through the Home and Community Care (HACC) program. HACC delivers affordable and accessible care to help meet the individual needs of older people, people with a disability and their carers to help them remain living independently. It is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments.

This additional funding is part of an $18.5 million funding package for more than 700 projects across Victoria.

Ms Vamvakinou said: “The HACC program provides the practical assistance that allows people to remain independent, in their own homes and communities rather than moving prematurely into permanent residential care.

“The HACC funding boost will provide 10,000 more nursing hours and 22,000 more respite hours across Victoria.”

“Vulnerable Victorians will also receive an additional 77,000 extra hours of social support, 40,000 more hours of personal care and an additional 40,000 hours of domestic assistance.’ Ms Vamvakinou said.

The funding package provides support for HACC services including:

-          Hume City Council: $245,770.00

-          Sunbury Community Health Centre: $231,641.50

-          Dianella Community Health: $29,936.00

-          Merri Outreach Support Service: $9,196.00

-          Sunspec Support Group for Families/Carers of People with Disabilities: $2,000

-          Victorian Arabic Social Services: $2,000

Ms Vamvakinou said: “The services provide the practical assistance that makes a real difference in the lives of the many older Australians who need some assistance with everyday tasks.

“I’ve seen the benefits this program delivers in Calwell. It makes a real difference to the lives of people in our community who need help with everyday tasks,” Ms Vamvakinou said.

This year the Rudd and Brumby Governments will provide $472 million in funding for Home and Community Care services in Victoria, which provides services to more than 250,000 vulnerable Victorians.

Please note that the individual service provider delivering these projects may not be physically located in one electorate and may provide services in other areas.

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