Ensuring the Right Housing for Our Participants
At Sunrise2Sunrise, we are committed to advocating for the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities.
Recently, we submitted a formal appeal to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), calling for an increase in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funding to ensure participants have access to housing that meets their complex support needs.
Currently, participants are funded for SDA up to $64,401 per year, which limits their housing options to single-resident villas, duplexes, or townhouses. However, these housing types do not adequately support their needs, leading to increased restrictive interventions, heightened stress levels, and limited personal development.
Ideally, participants should reside in homes aligned with the Robust design category intended for 2–3 residents, which corresponds to an annual funding level of approximately $161,002. This type of housing would provide a safer and more supportive environment that appropriately meets their complex needs.
However, we acknowledge the potential financial constraints on the NDIS. As a more feasible interim solution, we recommend increasing SDA funding to at least $80,000–$100,000 per year. This adjustment would give care teams greater flexibility to engage with SDA providers and secure more appropriate accommodation options that better align with participant support requirements.
Why Participants Require Larger Living Spaces
Historically, these participants were supported by DFFH prior to turning 18 and were accommodated in larger homes. Transitioning to smaller living environments presents significant challenges, particularly given the high proportion of time they spend indoors.
To ensure their living arrangements remain therapeutic rather than restrictive, it is essential that homes provide sufficient space and flexibility. Appropriate spatial design helps prevent environments from feeling institutional and plays a critical role in minimising behaviours of concern, enhancing overall well-being, and supporting a higher quality of life.
This approach is consistent with the guiding principles and long-term objectives of the NDIS.
Why This Appeal Matters
Many of our participants experience extreme functional impairments or very high support needs, making it essential that their housing is structured to support their well-being. The current SDA funding restricts them to living in smaller, unsuitable homes, which results in:
- Increased restrictive practices due to confined spaces
- Higher risk of self-injurious behaviours (SIB) and property damage
- Reduced opportunities for skill development and independence
- Ongoing reliance on 2:1 staff support
Our proposal seeks to provide participants with:
- More space for self-regulation and behavioural management
- A structured environment that allows for a reduction in restrictive interventions
- A safer, long-term living arrangement that fosters independence
Legal and Human Rights Foundations for Our Appeal
Our request is fully supported by NDIS legislation and human rights principles, including:
- National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 – Outlining participants’ rights to adequate SDA funding.
- Specialist Disability Accommodation Rules 2020 – Governing the eligibility and allocation of SDA funding.
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) – Guaranteeing the right of individuals with disabilities to live in an environment that promotes autonomy, dignity, and social participation.
Impact of Inadequate Housing on Participants
Many of our participants have transitioned from Out of Home Care settings, where they were provided with larger homes and backyards to support their behavioural needs. However, upon reaching adulthood, they are placed in small villas or duplexes, which:
- Increase the likelihood of distress and crisis situations.
- Limit family visits and interaction due to space constraints.
- Undo years of progress made in their care and development.
Families have witnessed firsthand the negative impact of inadequate SDA options, further underscoring the urgent need for more suitable housing.
Proposed Solution: Increasing SDA Funding for Better Outcomes
Our proposal requests consideration to increase the funding to $80,000 – $100,000 per year per participant to fund Robust 3-bedroom single-resident homes in Melbourne’s Inner and Outer South/East regions.
This change will:
- Allow a transition from 2:1 staff support to lower ratios over time (reducing long-term costs).
- Provide a purpose-built environment that reduces behavioural incidents and risk factors.
- Foster a more independent lifestyle while ensuring the safety of participants and staff.
This approach is both necessary for participants’ well-being and cost-effective in the long run, aligning with the NDIS’s mission to provide reasonable and necessary support.
Final Thoughts: A Call for Change
At Sunrise2Sunrise, we believe that every person with a disability deserves housing that meets their needs, respects their rights, and enables them to thrive. Our SDA funding appeal is a crucial step toward achieving that goal.
We urge the NDIS to review and approve this funding increase, ensuring that participants receive the support and accommodation they truly need.
How You Can Support This Appeal
If you believe in fair SDA funding, share this post and help raise awareness about the urgent need for better housing options for individuals with disabilities.
Together, we can create a future where all NDIS participants have access to housing that enables them to live safely, independently, and with dignity.
