DEC newsInsights from a discussion on SDA

People expressed dissatisfaction and concern about how SDA services are currently structured, highlighting the need for a strategic shift towards more personalised and suitable accessible housing solutions for people with disability. 

Cynicism and frustration were expressed towards both SDA providers and the NDIS’s lengthy approval timeframes and seemingly inexplicable decisions and determinations.  

Location: One of the most significant issues highlighted was the location of SDA, where homes are built in locations without adequate access to essential services such as public transport and shops. This severely restricts the independence of residents and limits their ability to integrate into their community.

Mismatched Housing Types: Another critical point raised was the misalignment between the SDA categories of available properties and the specific needs of potential residents. This issue has contributed to a substantial underuse of SDA funds as available properties often do not meet the required specifications for different disability categories.  

Investor-Centric Development: The development strategy of current SDA was criticised for being overly focused on investor interests. Properties are frequently developed in locations that promise high returns rather than those offering practicality and convenience for residents.

Bureaucratic Challenges: The discussion raised again the bureaucratic hurdles that further complicate access to suitable SDA housing. Participants mentioned lengthy approval processes, appeals, and a general lack of proactive funding allocation for exploring SDA options, which delays or deters potential residents from securing appropriate housing.

DEC Housing's Role: In this context, DEC Housing is committed to addressing these challenges through our innovative service model. DEC is a registered charity and registered NDIS provider solely of SDA. 

While a financial surplus must be made for its continued operation, working directly with participants to build customised high quality accessible accommodation, rather than maximising investment returns, is DEC’s primary objective.

DEC Housing's Service Model: DEC Housing is committed to a participant-centric approach. The location is approved by participants and their families, who, with their Care Teams, assist DEC in developing a deep understanding of their unique design requirements. Once built, DEC offers secure lifetime tenancy.

So long as a housing project can be made to stack up financially in the desired location, for the approved SDA housing category, then DEC will take it on.

Realities for all of us:  Even on the basis of agreeing to develop SDA on the thinnest of margins sometimes means a desired project is unfeasible. 

The NDIS provides strictly set funding levels based on specific factors the NDIA determines for each individual. The dollar amount is determined by the SDA category (based on the participant’s disability), build type (e.g. house, villa, apartment), number of residents the NDIA determines the participant should share with, and geographic location. 

Some combinations of these factors unfortunately provide an insufficient budget for a project to proceed, which can be heartbreaking for individuals and families who have often had to battle to access SDA funding in the first place. 

SDA providers do not receive a lump sum from the government (NDIA) to build SDA. Instead, DEC seeks loans to purchase land and construct homes. We pay these back over an extended period by claiming NDIS SDA funds monthly, which come out of our tenants’ NDIS packages. In other words, we must factor a vacancy risk, because funds cannot be claimed on untenanted rooms.

A promise: DEC Housing’s reputation is being built on our promise to place participants at the heart of our operation and exhaust every avenue in developing homes in locations chosen by clients and designed to cater for their specific requirements. It’s a promise we do our best to keep.