Specialist Disability Housing

Get the support you need to live in a house that is just right for you.

What is Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)?

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funding assists people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs to acquire specialist housing solutions. SDA dwellings have accessible features to help residents live more independently and allow other supports to be delivered better or more safely.

Eligible participants receive the ongoing funding to enable them to pay to live in a purpose-built SDA home.

Payments are made to the provider of an SDA property by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) when an SDA participant is living in the home. The participant is required to pay ongoing reasonable rent contributions of 25% of the disability support pension, 100% of any rental assistance (if applicable) and contribute to day to day living costs such as electricity builds.

There are four SDA design categories:

• Improved Livability
• Fully Accessible
• High Physical Support
• Robust

For further detail on SDA design categories click here.

We also have access to a Robust Plus property. Please enquire directly with our team at [email protected]  if you are interested in this property.

Why is the category important? The NDIA will assess your SDA application and determine which category of home is right for you based your individual support needs.

Who is eligible for SDA funding?

To qualify for SDA funding from the NDIS, you need to meet the following criteria:

• You have very high support needs and an extreme functional impairment
• You can show that SDA will help you pursue your NDIS goals, provide opportunities to develop your skills, and deliver long-term benefits

• demonstrate that your request for SDA funding is reasonable and necessary to help improve your independence, quality of life, and wellbeing.

Find out more here.

How do I apply for SDA funding?

Have a support person or team

When exploring SDA housing it is helpful to have some people to support you as you decide:

• where you want to live
• how you want to be supported
• who you might want to live with
• what evidence you will need
• help you find an Occupational Therapist (OT) to complete a Housing Assessment Report for you
• consider having a Support Coordinator or Specialist Support Coordinator (dependant on your funding). They can help you submit your documentation to the NDIA.

Housing Assessment Report

Familiarise yourself with SDA eligibility here and here.

Your next step is to get a Housing Assessment Report. You will need an occupational therapist will do an assessment to help determine whether you’re eligible for funding and what type of home best suits your support needs.

As well as the Housing Assessment Report from an occupational therapist, it’s a good idea to include additional supporting documents such as:

• A statement of support from a health provider – this could be your GP, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, and any other allied health practitioner
• A Housing Plan to show that the funding is reasonable and necessary – this is another report done by your Support Coordinator or Occupational Therapist summing up your current living situation, what your needs are and what’s expected for your future home

How do I submit my SDA application?

Once you have all the documentation ready, you can apply to the NDIA. Your Support Coordinator or Specialist Support Coordinator can assist you.

If you don’t have a Support Coordinator or Specialist Support Coordinator, complete the Home and Living Supporting Evidence Form (you can access a link on this page on the NDIS website) and provide this, along with your supporting documents, to the NDIA. This can be done by email, postal mail, or in person at a Local Area Coordinator or NDIS office in your area.

While you wait for your funding outcome

You can speak to Housing providers and discover what houses might be available and explore the supports you might want in that house.

You could consider asking:

• Are you a registered NDIS provider?
• Are you approved to deliver high intensity care (if needed)?
• How long have you been operating for? Does your company have strong experience in providing care for the disability/medical condition?
• How do you create person centred care plans?
• Are your staff qualified and experienced?
• How do provide training for staff at the beginning of supports and ongoing?
• Are you available 24/7 if required?
• Do all CareChoice Houses have Team Leaders?
• How are issues resolved?
• How do you ensure goals and quality of life are achieved?
• How do you support clients as they change providers?

At CareChoice, with your permission, we can keep you up to date on properties whilst you await the outcome of your funding application.

It is also a good time explore some other key resources such as:

Consumer Affairs Victoria – For SDA Residents

SDA information from the NDIS https://ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/supports-you-can-access-menu/home-and-living-supports/specialist-disability-accommodation

I’m approved for SDA funding. What do I do next?

If your application for SDA funding is approved by the NDIA, then you can contact or recontact providers with properties and supports you are interested in.

Our Housing & Transition Support team are here to help.

We can assist with:

• MTA
• Immediate vacancies
• Upcoming vacancies
• Specific builds

If we don’t have the right vacancy now, we’ll work with our SDA partners to help you find the right home and answer any questions you have.

To explore current and upcoming SDA vacancies with CareChoice, go to CareChoice Homes.