Applying for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funding
What is SDA funding?
SDA funding forms a category of money paid as part of the NDIS budget for eligible participants to contribute towards a place to call home. The SDA exists to support individuals with a disability to live an independent life.
SDA is categorised into four types of homes. Depending on the participants needs they will be categorised into one of the following brackets. In order from lowest support to highest support, these categories are;
Improved Liveability – this type of home must have a ‘reasonable’ level of physical access for people with sensory, intellectual, or cognitive impairment.
Fully Accessible – this type of home must have a ‘high’ level of physical access for people with significant physical impairment, including wheelchair accessibility in the bathroom, kitchen, and external areas.
High Physical Support – this type of home has a very high level of specialised design and physical access, for example ceiling hoists, assistive and communication technologies, and emergency power solutions.
Robust – this type of home needs good physical access, as well as extra safety features like retreat areas for participants and staff, and impact-resistant materials.
Am i eligible?
To qualify for SDA funding from the NDIS, you need to meet the following criteria:
You have very high support needs and an extreme functional impairment
You can show that SDA will help you pursue your NDIS goals, provide opportunities to develop your skills, and deliver long-term benefits
In other words, you need to demonstrate that your request for SDA funding is reasonable and necessary to help improve your independence, quality of life, and wellbeing.
You’ll usually show this through getting an occupational therapy assessment highlighting your NDIS housing goals, and how the ‘bricks and mortar’ home will prevent long-term health deterioration and assist in building your capacity.
How do I apply for SDA funding?
Your first step is to get a Housing Assessment Report. Your occupational therapist will do a comprehensive assessment (which typically takes between 12 to 15 hours) to work out whether you’re eligible for funding and what type of home best suits your support needs.
As well as the Housing Assessment Report from the occupational therapist, it’s a good idea to include additional supporting documents such as:
A statement of support from a health provider – this could be your GP, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, and any other allied health practitioner
A Housing Plan to show that the funding is reasonable and necessary – this is another report done by your Support Coordinator or Occupational Therapist summing up your current living situation, what your needs are and what’s expected for your future home
Once you have all the documentation ready, you can apply to the NDIA. Your Support Coordinator should be able to help.
If you don’t have a Support Coordinator, you can complete the Home and Living Supporting Evidence Form and provide this, along with your supporting documents, to the NDIA. You can do this by email, postal mail, or in person at a Local Area Coordinator or NDIS office in your area.
While you wait for funding
After you’ve applied to the NDIA for SDA funding, you can register your interest with us, and we’ll keep you updated about future home opportunities.
Whether you’re looking for a new build opportunity or prefer to move into existing disability accommodation, contact us and we’ll put you on our waitlist to get in touch if anything that suits your needs comes up.
I’m approved for SDA funding. What next?
If your application for SDA funding is approved by the NDIA, then it’s time to start looking for a house. Homely Housing can help you through this journey. If we don’t have the right vacancy now, we’ll work together with SDA providers in your journey to finding the right home.
Whatever the case, we will work with you to find the right house for your needs. We’re also here to answer any questions you have along the way.
