FINDING THE RIGHT HOME ISN’T ALWAYS EASY. WE ARE HERE TO HELP
Understanding SDA
Is SDA the right housing response for you?
Find out more about the SDA Design Categories, and other options that sit outside of SDA
“I require a high amount of person-to-person assistance and a home that can support my sensory and cognitive care needs”
You may benefit from living in a home that features:
- Living spaces that facilitate line of sight support;
- Design elements which support a range of sensory, physical or cognitive abilities;
- Specialised lighting design which responds to sensory stimulus; and
- Features to enable high levels of person to person supports as chosen by you.
“I require a high amount of person-to-person assistance and a home that can support my physical and mobility care needs”
You may benefit from living in a home that enables:
- Design elements that cater to physical and mobility support needs – the need for a housing response that supports some level of physical impairment e.g. widen doorway to support wheelchair access, handrails, modified bathroom etc;
- The option of automation of housing features e.g. automated blinds and doors etc;
- The option of accessible features such as height adjustable kitchen benchtops and cooking facilities; and
- High levels of person to person supports as chosen by you.
“I require a high amount of person-to-person assistance and a home that is completely accessible with technology solutions that facilitate increased independence”
You may benefit from living in a home that enables:
- The inclusion of all features of a Fully Accessible home, plus;
- Independence for someone with significant physical and mobility support needs;
- Independence for someone who requires the use of a wheelchair to mobilise;
- Complete accessibility throughout the home;
- Installation of a ceiling hoist;
- The use of assistive technology for heating and cooling, automation and communication; and
- High levels of person to person supports as you choose.
“I require a high amount of person-to-person assistance and a home that supports my behaviours of concern and keeps me and everyone else safe”
You may benefit from living in an SDA home that enables:
- All Features of an Improved Liveability home, plus;
- You, your guests and supports to feel safe and comfortable in your home, even at times when you require support in working through your communication (verbal or physical);
- You to live in an environment built from resilient materials that limit the chances of property damage, for example re-enforced walls, secure windows, soundproofing, laminated glass;
- Private, safe areas of the home where your guests or supports can move to, providing you space when you want it; and
- High levels of person to person supports as you choose.
Home modifications on an existing property
“I like where I live and am able to complete modifications to make this more suitable to my needs”
Useful links:
Private rental
“I do not require any modifications or accessibility options in my house and have the money to rent privately”
Useful links:
Subsidised Housing
“I do not require any modifications or accessibility options in my house however I require a home with reduce rent”
Useful links:
- Queensland Government Homes and Housing
- New South Wales Government Housing
- Australian Capital Territory Government Housing
- Victoria Housing
- South Australian Housing Authority
- Government of Western Australia Housing Authority
- Northern Territory Government Department of Housing and Communities
- Department of Communities Tasmania
Home Ownership
“I am in a position to own my own home and make the changes needed to ensure my home supports my needs”
Useful links:
Supported Independent Living (SIL) homes
“I do not require any modifications or accessibility options in my house but still require a place to live and face to face supports”
Useful links:
Are you eligible for SDA?
The SDA Eligibility Tool is an easy-to-use, online tool, designed to assess your likelihood of accessing Specialist Disability Accommodation. Your answers determine the likelihood of your eligibility, so that you can discuss this with us, your Support Coordinator or your other supports. Use the easy, online tool today!
The SDA Journey
Some simple steps to help you plan
Understanding SDA eligibility
I will – what you, or your trusted person need to ensure:
- Review my eligibility for NDIS funding against the measures listed in the NDIS access form;
- Ensure I have a housing goal in my NDIS plan;
- Complete an NDIS Home and Living Supports Request Form and submit it to the NDIA for review; and
- Contact Vera Living’s Tenant Journey Specialist to find out how they can support me throughout my journey.
Who – some key people to draw upon:
- Your Family and friends;
- Your Informal support network; and
- Your Support Coordinator.
When – a good timeline to work towards:
- 6-8 months from when you would like to move into your new home.
Engage with your Clinical specialist to plan a review of your housing
I will – what you, or your trusted person need to ensure:
- Work closely with my chosen Occupational Therapist to complete and submit my functional housing assessment report in line with the NDIS SDA guidelines.
Who – some key people to draw upon:
- Your Vera Living Tenant Support Specialist; and
- Your Occupational Therapist and/or clinical assessment team.
When – a good timeline to work towards:
- 5 months from when you would like to move into your new home.
Engage with your Support Coordinator to review housing options
I will – what you, or your trusted person need to ensure:
- Work closely with my Support Coordinator so they can:
- Complete a thorough housing options search to help me make the right choice;
- Complete my housing options report, identifying the most suitable housing for me;
- Submit a Change of Situation to NDIA which aligns with my SDA application; and
- Submit a completed SDA application to NDIA.
Who – some key people to draw upon;
- Your Vera Living Tenant Support Specialist;
- Your Support Coordinator; and
- Your Family and friends.
When – a good timeline to work towards:
- 4-5 months from when you would like to move into your new home.
Find a home that aligns to your lifestyle and support needs
I will – what you, or your trusted person need to ensure:
- Work proactively with my NDIA planner, Vera Living Tenant Engagement Specialist, and other members of my support team to confirm my SDA eligibility; and
- Proactively engage interactive property tours, to find and select the home that best suits my lifestyle.
Who – some key people to draw upon:
- Your Vera Living Tenant Support Specialist;
- Your Support Coordinator;
- Other chosen Allied Health professionals; and
- Your Family and friends.
When – a good timeline to work towards:
- 4 months from when you would like to move into your new home.
Plan your move!
I will – what you, or your trusted person need to ensure:
- Engage with all of my key people to plan and implement a wholistic transition into my new home.
Who – some key people to draw upon:
- Your Vera Living Tenant Support Specialist;
- Your Support Coordinator;
- Other chosen Allied Health professionals; and
- Your Family and friends.
When – a good timeline to work towards:
- 1 month from when you plan to move into your new home.
How we can help
Your own SDA housing specialist
Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) can be easier when you have a specialist to call on. We have recruited a team ready to assist you with your SDA journey. This support is complimentary for anyone looking to explore a Vera Living home.
Personalised Guidance
Our Tenant Journey Specialists are experienced in guiding tenants towards successful SDA outcomes. Understanding the importance of working collaboratively with Specialist Support Coordinators and Clinical Professionals, our team are here to provide you a personalised approach to finding the home that is right for you.
Our team are experts in SDA.
We’d love to assist if you have any further questions
