How are SDA Apartments different from other disability housing?

If you’re considering housing options for yourself or someone you know with high support needs, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will help you understand the differences between Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) apartments and other types of disability housing. We’ll also explore why SDA apartments stand out as a unique and empowering choice.

Quick links:

• How are SDA apartments different from other forms of housing?
• What does SDA look like?
• Is SDA housing right for you? A quick checklist
• The Enliven Housing Difference

What is SDA?

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is a housing tailored to individuals with high support needs. This can include houses, apartments, villas, duplexes and other types of dwellings. Unlike traditional housing, SDA is designed or modified under the NDIS to meet your needs. These properties feature modifications such as wheelchair accessibility and provisions for Assistive Technology (AT). Some SDA properties also offer onsite support arrangements to ensure a safe and comfortable living environment for you.

SDA funding, available through the NDIS, helps cover the costs of building, owning or renting specialised housing. This funding is separate from other NDIS supports and is designed to increase the availability of suitable housing options for you. With improved accessibility, safety and customised support, SDA housing enables you to live more independently and be part of a supportive community.

How are SDA Apartments different from other forms of disability housing?

SDA offers a unique and higher quality living option compared to traditional housing solutions. Generally, a lot of Australians with disability live with their family or in aged care or respite facilities. While these options provide essential support, they often do not offer the independence and personalised environment that SDA housing does. SDA housing provides the same 24/7 support but allows you to have more choice and control over your living situation.

Aged care facilities

Aged care facilities cater specifically to elderly individuals needing daily assistance and medical care, focusing on their overall well-being and health management. Services include nursing care, meal preparation and personal care. However, these facilities are not tailored to meet the specific needs of individuals with disability.

Younger individuals might find themselves in aged care facilities instead of SDA apartments for a few reasons. Securing SDA funding approval can be time-consuming and not all participants are aware of SDA as a housing option. As a result, individuals with disability may end up in accommodations such as aged care facilities that don’t always meet their specific needs.

At Enliven Housing, we’re committed to ensuring that you can live as independently as possible. Our Appeals Program is tailored to assist you in securing SDA funding, particularly for single occupancy. We provide comprehensive guidance and support throughout this process. In some cases, we may provide interim leases while working to secure the correct funding, ensuring you have a stable place to call home.

Respite care

Short-Term Accommodation (STA), also referred to as Respite, offers temporary housing and support for people with disabilities, giving their primary carers a break. It provides relief for carers and opportunities for participants to join social activities and develop independence. Support during STA includes help with daily tasks and personal care.

Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) provides longer temporary housing, often used during transitions between homes or for receiving specialised care. It offers a stable living environment and support similar to STA but is intended as a temporary option.

The key difference between STA and MTA lies in the duration of the stay. STA lasts for short periods, up to 14 days, while MTA accommodates stays up to 90 days. Both focus on care and supervision, however they don’t provide the long-term independent living option found in SDA.

Kaitlyn’s Housing Journey – From Respite to SDA

No one should ever feel trapped by their living environment or forced to live in a place where they don’t fit in. For years, Kaitlyn experienced this reality, living in a nursing home and respite centre despite being in her twenties. Check out Kaitlyn’s transition from respite and aged care to her own SDA apartment with Enliven Housing below.

“Since Enliven Housing, I’ve become much more independent with home skills and being able to go out. My original housing didn’t suit my needs. It was depressing because I couldn’t be independent the way I wanted to be.”

Kaitlyn

SDA apartments

SDA apartments form part of larger property complexes tailored for individuals with disabilities. They offer apartment-style living with shared common areas and proximity to amenities, fostering independence and community inclusion while prioritising safety and comfort.

Our SDA apartments at Enliven are strategically located across Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide, ensuring easy access to transport, medical facilities, shopping and entertainment. Each property typically features 10 SDA apartments and an on-site Support Hub offering 24/7 support. Enliven collaborates with SDA Assistive Technology to customise your apartment, helping you achieve your goals effectively.

What does SDA look like?

Benefits of living in an SDA Apartment

SDA accommodation offers a range of benefits, each tailored to meet the unique needs of the participants. These homes provide individualised support and ensure that each person receives the right support, bringing peace of mind to participants and their families.

SDA accommodations, including apartments, are designed with accessibility in mind, featuring wide door frames and hallways to accommodate wheelchair users or people using other mobility aids. Bathrooms are equipped with grab rails, roll-in showers and height-adjustable benches.

Modern SDA homes also incorporate AT, such as automated lighting, climate control, voice-activated systems and emergency response buttons to aid daily living.  Other personalisation can include specialised equipment like ceiling hoists and adjustable beds, as well as additional safety measures like non-slip flooring, emergency power backup systems and accessible emergency exits.

SDA accommodation promotes independence among its tenants by enabling individuals to manage their own chores, pursue personal interests and engage in social activities. This Independence contributes significantly to the overall quality of life for those living in SDA housing.

Is an SDA Apartment right for you? A quick checklist

Wondering if living in an SDA apartment a good fit? Here’s a handy checklist to help you decide:

• You’re between 18 and 64 years old.
• You use a wheelchair or rely on another mobility aid to get around.
• You’re a NDIS participant or awaiting approval.
• You need special features like a modified bathroom and ceiling hoist to make your home accessible.
• You require at least 6 hours of daily support.
• You can spend some time alone but need a support to complete everyday tasks.
• You have or expect to have SDA funding at the High Physical Support level in your NDIS plan.

If you or someone you know meet this criteria, SDA apartments might be the perfect solution. You can also use our SDA Eligibility Calculator to point you in the right direction – it takes less than 60 seconds.

The Enliven Housing Difference

At Enliven Housing, we prioritise your independence above all else. Our unique Friendly Landlord Model is built on sustainability, skill development and tenant-centred management. We work closely with you and your support networks to achieve your housing goals, ensuring your voice is heard throughout the whole decision-making process.

Our SDA apartments operate on a unique “Blended Model”. This means we can offer apartments across multiple SDA design categories, unlike other providers who limit themselves to just one. This approach guarantees a personalised living experience, tailored specifically to your needs.

Enliven Housing’s innovative Community Cooperative ensures you can live independently without being tied to a specific support model like SIL. Instead, you become part of a cooperative where members voluntarily share support resources, enhancing their choice and control. This setup provides affordable support while maintaining individual living spaces, with shared support decisions made collectively within the cooperative. So, the support provider is ultimately accountable to you, not us. For more information, check out our blog on the separation of NDIS housing and disability supports.

We hope this guide has been informative. If you still have questions about how SDA apartments differ from other disability housing options, please feel free to call us and speak with one of our SDA specialists.