What you need to know
Use these resources to help you choose a home that is right for you.
Accessing housing
For people with a disability looking for a place to live can be a challenging and exciting time. There are lots of things to think about when you would like to move into your own home:
- the types of houses that best meet your needs
- the skills you need to live on your own
- how to use your NDIS funding to reach your housing goals
- housing advocacy and support services.
Choosing your home
The Summer Foundation's My Housing Preferences Tool is a workbook to help you to think about the type of house that might best meet your needs.
This tool helps you to:
- think about moving
- plan your move
- how to make your move happen
- provides a moving checklist.
Mainstream housing is housing that anyone can live in. You do not have to have a disability to live in mainstream housing so some houses may not meet your access needs.
Mainstream housing options include:
- Private rental is housing that is available to rent in the private rental market. Private rental housing can include houses, units and apartments.
- Public housing is a long-term form of social housing rental for people who are assessed to need it most. This can include people who have experienced homelessness or, family violence, or have additional support needs.
- Community housing is a form of long-term, affordable rental housing which is managed by not-for-profit organisations. Community housing is for people who have very low incomes or have additional needs.
- Home ownership is a home you already own or have borrowed money from the bank to buy.
- Home sharing is when you share a home with other people. Each person in the home will have their own space but share rooms such as the lounge room, kitchen, laundry and bathroom.
- Moveable units can be moved and set up in the backyard of a carer, friend or relative. Moveable units can help people with a disability or older people live more independently.
- Supported accommodation is housing that comes with support for people with a high level of care needs. Supported housing is for people with a disability or older people who are unable to live independently.
- Supported residential services (SRS) are privately owned businesses which provide accommodation for people who need help with everyday living. Read more about supported residential services.
Specialist disability accommodation (SDA) is for people who have very high physical support or safety needs. SDA offers funding for an NDIS approved house or apartment. Only a small percentage of people with a disability are eligible for SDA and most people with a disability will need to find mainstream housing and use their NDIS funds to help them live more independently.
The Summer Foundation has developed some resources for people who are eligible for SDA:
- The Housing Hub advertises vacancies for accessible apartments and houses that are owned by housing providers.
- Disability Housing lists houses for sale and for rent.
- Housing Choices Australia houses people with disability in the city and rural areas of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
- Endeavour can help people with disability live on their own through a range of housing options.
- The NDIS Find a Housemate Facebook page helps people with disability and their carers to connect with other NDIS participants who would like to live more independently.
- Domain and Realestate.com are websites that help you to find mainstream housing to rent or buy.
Living on your own
Moving into your own home is an exciting and busy time. There are a number of tasks and skills you may need to learn or things you may need help with in order to live more independently.
Some of the tasks you may need to do when you live on your own can include:
- cooking and making meals
- shopping
- cleaning
- washing your clothes.
For videos and apps to help with household tasks and living more independently, visit Autistics' Guide to Adulthood
Learning about money and budgeting is an important part of living on your own.
- Rent assistance may be available to people who receive a regular payment from Centrelink.
- The bond loan scheme is an interest-free loan scheme that can help you pay your rent bond.
- MoneySmart has a simple money management tool that can help you to manage your money and plan for your expenses.
- Centrepay is a free bill paying service and can arrange regular deductions from your Centrelink payment.
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities has some helpful tips about how to stay safe in your home, out and about in your community and when you are online.
Support services
- Your NDIS funding can be used to employ someone to assist you with your personal care and tasks around the home.
- Local area coordinators can help you find som
Support services
- Your NDIS funding can be used to employ someone to assist you with your personal care and tasks around the home.
- Local area coordinators can help you find someone to help you around the home and services that help you to learn new skills to live independently.
- Clickability is a website where you can search for workers and service providers who and help you learn the skills you need to live more independently.
- Council offers services and supports to help you live at home for people who are not eligible for the NDIS but need some assistance with daily living.
eone to help you around the home and services that help you to learn new skills to live independently.
- Clickability is a website where you can search for workers and service providers who and help you learn the skills you need to live more independently.
- Council offers services and supports to help you live at home for people who are not eligible for the NDIS but need some assistance with daily living.
Housing advocacy and support
Disability housing
The Summer Foundation has resources for:
- people with disability
- service providers who are working toward people’s housing goals
- community housing.
Youth Disability Advocacy Services (YDAS) offers free advocacy service for people with a disability aged between 12-25.
Action for More Independence & Dignity in Accommodation (AMIDA) is a disability advocacy group for people with a disability who are having problems with their accommodation and housing.
Mainstream housing
Wombat Housing’s Tenancy Plus Support Program assists social housing tenants in the inner west to establish, strengthen, or maintain their tenancy.
Tenants Victoria offers free advice to tenants living in private rental, social housing and rooming houses.