What is SDA?
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is a type of housing specifically designed for people with disability who have a specialist housing needs. It is designed to provide a safe, accessible, and liveable environment for people with disability; with the aim of supporting their independence and inclusion in the community.
SDA is typically built to meet the specific needs of each person, taking into account factors such as mobility, sensory impairments, and cognitive and physical disabilities. The design of SDA homes may include features such as wider doorways and hallways, adjustable height work surfaces, and wheelchair accessible showers and toilets. Additionally, many SDA homes also feature specialized equipment and technology, such as hoists and ceiling tracks to support the needs of people with disability.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for SDA for eligible individuals. The NDIS aims to provide participants with choice and control over their housing and support arrangements, and to promote their independence and inclusion in the community.
SDA plays an important role in enabling individuals with disability to live in their own homes, rather than in institutions or group homes. It can improve the quality of life for people with disability by providing a safe, accessible, and dignified living environment, and by supporting their independence and community inclusion.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I CAN HAVE SDA FUNDING IN MY PLAN?
The NDIS has been established to provide reasonable and necessary supports to people with a permanent and significant disability. This means the NDIS can pay for supports that are related to your disability including, where necessary, support related to your accommodation.
As an NDIS participant you will go through a planning process in which you meet with an NDIS representative to have a conversation about your current situation and supports. If required, this will include conversations about your need for SDA, through completing the NDIS Home and Living Form.
HOW MUCH WILL I PAY FOR MY ACCOMMODATION?
Your rent will be set at 25% of the disability support pension, plus 100% of Commonwealth Rent Assistance. You will also need to pay for your own utilities and food.
In addition to your rent, the NDIA pays an SDA payment directly to the SDA Provider.
SDA funding does not cover the support services a person requires in order to live independently. These supports are funded separately by the NDIS.
Am I eligible for an Ability Apartment?
NDIS Participants are often unaware that they may be eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) in one of our Ability Apartments. Funding can be allocated from a specialised NDIS Plan to subsidise suitable living options for high support need tenants. There is a detailed application process that needs to be completed through the NDIS itself for this type of accomodation but that process can run in parallel with our direct application process. It’s really quite simple to express your interest in one of our properties by completing our Guide to Eligibility.
In order to apply for an Ability Apartment, participants must be over 18 and on the NDIS, have a very significant impairment with complex support needs, have planned 1:1 supports for more than 5 hours per day, have a goal to live more independently, and fill out and submit the NDIA Home and Living Form.
*All eligibility decisions are made by the NDIA
