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Finding the Right Disability Housing

The type of disability accommodation that you will benefit from will depend on your support needs, and the funding available to you. At Nextt, we will support you to find disability accommodation that is right for you.

National Insurance Disability Scheme (NDIS)

The NDIS provides a number of different housing options that can either help you to live independently, or that can provide you with more specialised support, such as: ownership to rentals, independent living to those that need sustained care, and allow for the need to make modifications to the property in order to ensure the environment is right for the individual.

Some of the options that we’ve explored for our clients at Nextt include:

Specialised Disability Accommodation (SDA)

If the design of a home will assist in you living more independently, then SDA may be the right option for you. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) are innovative homes specially built for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. To apply for SDA, you need:

  • A Housing Goal: include housing goals within your NDIS plan
  • Create a Housing Plan (including housing needs): this is usually done by your support coordinator or occupational therapist. It may also be completed by yourself, or any Allied Health professional that supports you.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) can assess if you need SDA funding, once approved, they will fit you into one of four ‘Design Standards’, which define your SDA level. Once you have your SDA level, it is yours for life, and you don’t need to reapply unless you want your level reassessed.

The ‘Design Standards’ are:

  1. Improved Liveability: including the basic physical needs such as wider doors, or luminous contrasts.
  2. Fully Accessible: including physical needs such as wheelchair access to the kitchen and bathroom
  3. High Physical Support: the higher physical support needs such as communicative technology, and ceiling hoists.
  4. Robust: including strong walls, clear lines of site, and retreat areas for support workers and other visitors.

Supported Independent Living (SIL)

SIL helps people to live independently in their own home. It is usually provided 24/7 in a house where care is shared among the household residents. Because of this, we take the time to match each client carefully to make sure they are living with people who have similar personalities, goals, and support needs. To apply for SIL you need:

  • A Housing Goal: include housing goals within your NDIS plan
  • Reports and Assessments from the NDA: showing the supports required to assist in achieving your independent living goal.
  • SIL will be included in your plan as Quote Pending.
  • Quote from SIL Provider: once you find a home that you want to live in, Nextt will provide you with a quote for our services. This is sent to the NDIA, and once approved, the funding will be added to your NDIS plan, and will pay and liaise directly with your SIL provider.

NDIS Core Supports

NDIS Core funding supports you with daily living activities and to work towards your goals. Examples of core supports include transportation, and assistance with household tasks.

Individual Living Options (ILO)

These include the living arrangements that focus on the individual, such as:

  • Living Alone
  • Co-residency
  • Host Arrangements, and
  • Living Together.

Nextt will help you define what living option that will best suit your needs and will then work with you to help you deliver on that plan. To start, we will create a quote and email the NDIS for review. 

Home Renovations

Home renovations include any changes to the structure, layout, or fittings to a disability home, so that residents can safely access it, and comfortably move around the areas that are frequently used. The process would be assessing the property and retrieve quotes for the changes, including equipment, labour, and servicing. We will also send reports to the NDIA from an Allied Health professional as proof that these changes need to be made.

Mainstream Services

Even if you have daily support needs, you can live somewhere that suits your circumstances and lifestyle. You do not need to settle for what is immediately available, and you can use your NDIS Core Funding to organise support workers to assist you when needed. You can search for homes that are for sale or rent by calling local real-estate agents for their listings, or looking online through websites such as Domain, or RealEstate.com.au.

Buying a Home

You may be eligible to purchase a home by using Trusts: Specialist Disability Trust and other types of Trusts may be used, which can assist a person with achieving the dream of home ownership. The government also offers Shared Home Ownership for low-income earners.

In most cases, you get approval from a bank first to get a home loan. To get a loan to buy a home you need to have saved up a deposit which is usually around 20% of the total purchase price.

Renting a property

To rent a home, you first need to find a rental property that you like and apply either directly through a real estate agency or online. You will need to prove your income, prove your identity, and show a rental history, or letter of recommendation that you are a good tenant. Once approved, you will need to pay one month’s rent in advance and a bond. Your bond will then be refunded to you when you move out, only if you have not damaged the property.

If you are unsure where to start or need assistance with any part of this process, Nextt have the specialists that can assist. Contact us on 1300 369 568 for more information regarding disability housing options. Or to view our SIL and SDA vacancies, click here.