Having a place to call home where you feel safe, comfortable, and independent is a fundamental part of a fulfilling life. For people with disability, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) aims to make this a reality by providing support to help you live in a home that suits your needs and goals. While the housing landscape in Australia presents challenges for everyone, the NDIS offers specific funding to help you achieve greater independence in your living situation.

This blog explores the home and living options available through the NDIS, what supports the scheme can fund, and how Healthcare Australia (HCA) can partner with you to achieve your long-term housing goals.

What Are the Current Home and Living Options?

The NDIS is working to create more choice for participants, but the current housing market has its limitations. Many people with disability face the same housing affordability issues as the general population, often with fewer opportunities to earn a comparable income. These issues can make finding the right home feel like a significant challenge.

The two most common NDIS-related housing arrangements are:

1. Supported Independent Living (SIL)
   SIL is one of the most common housing supports for NDIS participants with higher support needs. It typically involves living in a group home with other people with disability, supported by 24/7 staff from a disability services provider. In a SIL arrangement, you receive support with daily tasks to help you live as independently as possible. While SIL provides a necessary service, disability services providers often have strict criteria for matching participants, which can sometimes limit your choice about where and with whom you live.
2. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
   SDA refers to housing designed or modified specifically to suit the needs of participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. SDA funding covers a contribution to the accommodation cost or building cost of the physical home, while your other NDIS funding (like SIL) covers the support services you receive within it. SDA is only available to a small number of NDIS participants who meet specific eligibility criteria.

Beyond these formal arrangements, many participants reside in their family homes, private rentals, or own their own homes. The NDIS can provide crucial support to make these environments more accessible and sustainable for the long term.

What Home and Living Supports Can the NDIS Fund?

The NDIS can fund a range of supports to help you live more independently. Like all NDIS funding, these supports must be considered “reasonable and necessary” and directly related to your disability.

Here are some of the key home and living supports the NDIS may fund:

• Capacity Building Supports Funding to help you develop the skills you need to live more independently, including learning how to manage a household budget, improving your communication skills, cooking, or managing daily routines.
• Home Modifications Suppose you own your own home or are in a long-term private rental. In that case, the NDIS can fund modifications to make it more accessible, including installing ramps, modifying a bathroom, or lowering kitchen benches.
• Personal Care and Home Help If your disability makes it difficult to manage daily tasks, the NDIS can fund a support worker to assist with personal care (like showering and dressing) or home help (like cleaning and laundry).
• Support to Find and Maintain Housing The NDIS can provide funding to help you search for and secure a suitable place to live. This support may involve assistance from a support coordinator or a specialist provider.

Who Can Get Home and Living Support?

Any NDIS participant can request home and living support if it relates to their disability-related needs. You may be eligible if:

• Your current living situation is unsuitable for your disability needs.
• You have limited mobility that makes it hard to perform daily tasks or access parts of your home.
• You have complex behaviour support needs that require a specialist living solution.
• You are in hospital and cannot safely return to your previous home.
• Your current accommodation is temporary or unsafe.

Planning for Your Future: What You Can Do Now

The future of NDIS housing is moving towards greater choice and control, but it’s a slow process involving collaboration between the NDIS, government, and housing providers. While new and innovative housing models are being trialled, you can take proactive steps today to work towards your long-term goals.

It is vital to have a “home and living” conversation at your NDIS planning meeting. Consider where you want to be in the future and request funding that will help you achieve your goals.

• If you want to live independently: Request funding now for capacity-building supports to develop your living skills.
• If you think you might need SIL: Ask for funding for allied health assessments to build the evidence required for eligibility.
• If you plan to stay in your family home: Explore funding for home modifications to ensure your home remains accessible and safe for years to come.

How Healthcare Australia Supports Your Home and Living Goals

At Healthcare Australia, we believe your home should be your sanctuary. Our role is to provide the support you need to live safely and independently, wherever you choose to live. We specialise in bespoke, one-to-one support, delivered either in your family home, an independent living unit, a shared house, or even within a SIL arrangement.

1. Personalised Support Planning Exceptional care starts with understanding your vision for the future. Our Business Relationship Leaders meet with you to develop a support plan that aligns with your home and living goals, as well as your NDIS funding. Whether you need help getting ready in the morning, support with grocery shopping, or someone to cook alongside you, we find the right support worker for your specific needs. Our matching process ensures you feel comfortable and confident in your own home.
2. Dedicated Customer Care Management Every HCA participant is assigned a dedicated Customer Care Manager who acts as your personal point of contact. They understand your goals and support plan, and they will check in with you regularly to ensure everything is running smoothly. This ongoing relationship means you never have to repeat your story and can easily make adjustments to your plan as your needs change.
3. Flexible and Adaptive Services Life is dynamic, and your support needs will evolve. We build flexibility into every support plan so your services can adapt with you. If you want to try something new, change the frequency of your support, or modify your approach, we work with you to make it happen without fuss.

Take the Next Step Towards Your Ideal Home

Your NDIS plan is a powerful tool for building the life you want. Don’t let uncertainty about funding or the housing market stop you from pursuing your home and living goals. With the proper support and a long-term vision, you can work towards living in a place that truly feels like home.

Healthcare Australia is committed to helping you navigate the complexities of the NDIS while focusing on what matters most: your goals, your independence, and your wellbeing. Our experienced team knows how to maximise your home and living supports to get the most value from your plan.

If you’re ready to explore how your NDIS funding can help you achieve your housing goals, reach out to Healthcare Australia today. Together, we’ll create a support plan that empowers you to live confidently and on your own terms.