A Host Arrangement is a living arrangement where a host welcomes a person with disability to live in their home.
A host provides live-in support and companionship, and shares their life with the person living with a disability. This can be on a full-time or a short break (respite) basis. The host may be a single person, couple or family. Each Host Arrangement is unique, according to both sides’ circumstances but they all have one thing in common – they provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home environment.
Finding the right match
To ensure a successful placement for you with a Host, your Support Team takes the time to get to know you, your needs and wants. We know it’s important that people click, get along and ultimately choose to live together.
Interchange will support you with:
- Finding the right people for you to live with, ensuring a good match and that their home also meets your individual needs
- We will support you with your transition
- We can provide ongoing individualised support for you
Through living in a natural home environment, you experience an enhanced sense of connection, participation and belonging. People within Host Arrangements value companionship and contributions to each other’s lives. Your living supports will be tailored specifically to your needs and are simply part of your everyday life with your host. Support Workers can also assist you with your daily activities or community outings when the host is not around, or you prefer other supports.
Interchange will connect you to a range of carefully chosen and suitable hosts. Using our individualised living options, we consider your personality, interests, support needs and preferences. We assess the home and its occupants to ensure the living arrangement will be safe and welcoming for you. We’ll also offer direct and indirect support where needed.
Host Success Story
They are nice, take good care of me and make me feel at home. – Natasha, Osborne Park Neighbourhood
Natasha’s been living in a host arrangement with Lynne, Martin, their son Bran, and nephew Dale, for the past three years. An active participant in their home and family life, she enjoys going on adventures with them and feels included and safe in a home environment. Friendly and energetic, Natasha loves dancing, swimming, and gardening and would like a Karaoke party for her upcoming 21st birthday party.
Transitioning to adulthood with great success, Natasha now uses public transport on a regular basis (with the support of Interchange staff) and has secured and maintained a volunteer placement at Riding for the Disabled, where she also participates in lessons. Natasha has many interests and has started to learn sign language so she can communicate with some of her non-verbal friends. Instrumental in the initiation of the kitchen garden at our Morley office, Olive Tree House, Natasha takes great pride in its upkeep.
Natasha’s made friends and regularly participates in activities, demonstrating a level of focus and commitment in learning new skills. One of her goals was to feel comfortable, safe and a sense of belonging. Feeling she’s achieved this, Natasha now plans to enrol in a TAFE course, and has long term ambitions of becoming a dance teacher or dog trainer. For the future, she would like to continue developing essential skills like cooking, laundry and managing her finances, so she can reach her goal of living independently.
Want to know more?
Click here to find out more or register your interest in finding a host living arrangement to suit you.
Who can become a Host?
Anyone! Hosts can be mature aged, a student, employed full-time or part-time, own your own home or rent, be single, a couple or family! They must have a desire to provide a safe and nurturing environment and a passion for supporting people with disability to live a good life. Find out more about becoming a host.