The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is the new way for the government to provide support to Australians with disability, their families and carers.
The NDIS will provide about 500,000 Australians under the age of 65 who have a permanent and significant disability with the reasonable and necessary supports they need to live an ordinary life.
More information can be found at: https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/what-ndis.html
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is a range of housing designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high needs.
For some participants of the NDIS, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will fund Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). SDA refers to housing for people who require specialist housing solutions. Funding is only provided to a small proportion of NDIS participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs who meet specific eligibility criteria.
SDA funding under the NDIS will stimulate investment in the development of new high-quality dwellings for use by eligible NDIS participants. SDA funding is not support services, but is instead for the homes in which these services are delivered.
For some participants of the NDIS, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will fund Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). SDA refers to housing for people who require specialist housing solutions. Funding is only provided to a small proportion of NDIS participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs who meet specific eligibility criteria.
The SDA policy was initially outlined in the ‘Specialist Disability Accommodation: Decision Paper on Pricing and Payments’ released on 1 June 2016 and the more practical application of SDA is defined within the NDIS SDA Rule that was first published in March 2017, updated July 2018 and June 2020.
The current set of documents that describe requirements for SDA provision are found on the SDA Pricing and Payments webpage:
Eligible participants may receive SDA funding is to cover the cost of providing specialist design features within a home. SDA funding is paid directly to the registered SDA provider. SDA funding is for the dwelling only – it does not cover support costs (such as Supported Independent Living), which are assessed and funded separately by the NDIS. Eligible NDIS participants who have SDA funding in their NDIS plan can choose their required SDA property from the available supply of SDA properties in the market.
For further information go to: https://www.ndis.gov.au/specialist-disabilityaccommodation
- Improved liveability – housing with better physical access. It also has more features for people with sensory, intellectual, or cognitive impairments. For example, you may need walls and floors that are very easy to see, living areas that mean your support workers cansee you easily, or very few stairs in your home.
- Fully accessible – housing with a high level of physical access features for people who havelots of physical challenges. For example, you need to use a manual or powered wheelchair at home or can’t use steps.
- High physical support – housing that includes a high level of physical access for people who need very high levels of support. For example, you may need a ceiling hoist, backup power supply, or home automation and communication technology.
The SDA Pricing Arrangements resource sets out how the Reasonable Rent Contribution (RRC) is calculated:
Whether or not the participant receives the Disability Support Pension, and no matter their age, the rent that they pay cannot be greater than the MRRC (Single) – which is an amount that is equal to:
- 25% of the maximum basic rate of the Disability Support Pension payable for a person who is not under 21, and not a member of a couple;
- Plus 25% of the maximum rate of the Pension Supplement payable for a person who is not under 21 and not a member of a couple;
- Plus 100% of the maximum rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance payable for a person who is not under 21 and not a member of a couple and not sharing.
For the current Disability Support Pension rates, please see Centrelink payment rates on the Services Australia website. For the current Commonwealth Rent Assistance rates and information about eligibility for this payment, please refer to the Services Australia website.
The payment rates are updated on 20 March and 20 September every year. The current rate as at 24 March 2023 is $419.67 per fortnight.
At Summer Housing, we believe in charging reasonable rent based on individual circumstances. Any rent relief or rent reduction requests shall be made to Summer Housing or its appointed property manager. The requests shall be in writing and be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Liverty Housing Apartments
Liverty Housing is a registered NDIS Service Provider of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA Provider). Summer Housing has purchased the apartments from the property developer. We re-design the apartments to include specialist design features to be suitable for SDA.
These apartments are available for rent by SDA eligible participants. If you meet the following requirements, please contact us to apply for an Apartment:
- You are an NDIS participant (or likely to be eligible for NDIS funding),
- You are aged between 18-64 years old,
- You need at least 6 hours of support a day from another person (paid or informal supports),
- You can spend time alone but need support to be available when called,
- You can live near others and capable of sharing lifts and other common areas,
- You require specialist design features in your own home, and
- You wish to build your independence,
Rent can be paid electronically, and terms can be negotiated with your Property and Tenancy Manager.
You will also be required to pay for all utilities (electricity, gas, water and internet) and groceries, medication and other household supplies.
The property is not furnished and can be furnished to your preferences.
Liverty Housing will pay for building insurance. You should take out contents insurance to cover the loss or damage of your personal possessions.
Provided that you can demonstrate that you can adequately care for your pet, Liverty Housing will accept pet applications. Pets must comply with body corporate by-laws and be approved by the body corporate.
No. All Liverty Housing apartments are smoke-free. If you smoke, you must smoke outside and be considerate of neighbours.
Yes. All living areas and bedrooms have sprinklers.
All Liverty Housing apartments are designed as a compartment to ensure that you will be safe to shelter in place for a certain time. The apartments are fire rated with doors connected to an electric strike system that will automatically unlock the door when in an alarm state. This allows assisted evacuation. You will also have on-site shared supports to assist with your evacuation.