Understanding SDA

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.

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.

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.

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:

• NDIS Home Modifications

Private rental
“I do not require any modifications or accessibility options in my house and have the money to rent privately”

Useful links:

• Realestate.com.au
• Domain Real Estate

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:

• Realestate.com.au
• Domain Real Estate
• NDIS Home Modifications

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:

• nest
• Housing Hub

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.