NDIS housing options packages: applying for SDA funding

Wondering about  NDIS Housing Options Packages? Let’s look at what it all means and how Aspire Hub can provide you with accommodation to help meet your needs.

Providers like Aspire Hub are here to help participants live exactly how, where and with whom they want. As an NDIS-registered provider with a genuine people-first approach, we take time to listen to what our clients want. Then, we build NDIS housing and supports around their needs.  

If you live with disability and have an active NDIS plan, you might be eligible to access support in your living arrangements. The NDIS funds a number of disability accommodation supports to help you live a fulfilling life. It does this to enable you to become more independent and achieve your goals. One of these is Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) 

The NDIS will fund the cost of housing for eligible NDIS participants whose extreme functional impairments or very high support needs mean they are unable to live in mainstream housing.  

SDA is housing specially designed or modified to suit the needs of people who have an extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. 

Before you can be approved for SDA funding, you must go through the Informing Housing Solutions process. This was previously known as Exploring Housing Options Package process. 

What are Exploring NDIS Housing Options Packages?

The Informing Housing Solutions process is designed to help people explore available funding options.

If you have very high support needs but don’t already live in disability housing, you may need capacity building funding from the NDIS to search for suitable housing.  

If there are no suitable housing options for you, your support coordinator can assist you in exploring whether you could be eligible for SDA funding to help you secure the right place to live.  

Informing Housing Solutions is an NDIS-funded support that provides up to 75 hours of support coordination to assist you in investigating all funding options available to you. It also includes funding for assessments so that you can determine what you will need for your SDA housing request. An occupational therapy assessment is an example.

If you do get SDA funding approved at a level that will meet your needs, it will improve your housing options. This is because there are many new SDA providers now looking for tenants. Some providers are working closely with people with disability to co-design their new housing, which will be funded with the help of SDA payments. 

How to find SDA homes

SDA properties can be houses, apartments, townhouses or group homes.  

When you are approved for SDA funding, look at what nearby providers offer. In addition, you may want to get in touch with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to discuss your options.  

There are 5 SDA design categories to look out for: 

1. Basic: Is for existing housing only and is provided to participants who want to remain in their current group home. 
2. Improved liveability: Is for people with a sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairment.  
3. Robust: Is for people who have complex behaviours, and who may sometimes be a risk to themselves or others.  
4. Fully accessible: Is for people who have a significant physical impairment such as wheelchair users.  
5. High physical support: Is for people with significant physical impairment and who need a high level of personal support.

As an SDA provider, Aspire Hub is responsible for ensuring that the housing we provide meets the specific needs of our clients. We work closely with clients and their support networks to design and deliver housing solutions that are tailored to everyone’s needs. 

If you or someone you know is living with a disability and needs support with SDA housing, view our current vacancies across southeast Queensland and Perth here. 

Why choose Aspire Hub?

Our Aspire Hub team is made up of highly trained and experienced professionals who are dedicated to supporting people with disabilities. All team members undergo rigorous training to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to provide the best possible support to clients.   

With a strong commitment to providing high-quality services to our clients, we understand that each person with a disability has unique needs. And we can tailor our support services to meet these individual needs. 

Importantly, when you choose Aspire Hub, you’re choosing a rusted NDIS registered and industry leading provider, with a strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement. 

So, we hope that clears up the NDIS housing options package and what’s are available when it comes to finding an SDA home. Still have a question? Reach out to us here for more information, or to get in touch about our housing vacancies!  

To learn more about NDIS Housing and Services with Aspire Hub, click here.