NDIS Housing & SDA Housing Policy changes in 2021

Changes were recently announced with regards to the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) policy. The policy now states that participants are now provided with additional choice and flexibility with accommodation partners.

The Minister for the National Insurance Disability Scheme, Hon. Stuart Robert announced in June in a press release that there will be forthcoming rules changes which allow couple to be able to share a bedroom where they choose and children will be able to share a room with a parent or sibling.

This is great news for NDIS participants who are eligible for SDA funding, particularly for those individuals who cannot live in mainstream housing due to requirements for high levels of support, but who want to live independently.

Latest figures reveal that approximately 6% of NDIS participants will have the SDA offering included within their plans by the time the scheme is fully developed.

Minister Stuart Robert stressed that these changes were a valuable step towards encouraging people with disability reach their goals and live independently.

“The NDIS enables people with disability to live more independently and one of the most fundamental aspects of all our lives is having choice and control over where we live, who we live with and the supports we need,’ Mr Robert said.

“We are improving the range of options available to participants who have SDA in their NDIS plans, while also stimulating growth in the SDA housing market.

“The changes will improve choice for eligible NDIS participants, build market confidence and drive stronger investment in SDA across Australia.”

Councillor Romola Hollywood, Director of Policy and Advocacy at People With Disability Australia (PWDA), concurred that the changes made are an important step for people living with disability.