Housing & The NDIS

Supports funded by the NDIS

The NDIS will assist participants to live independently. This includes:

• Supports that build people's capacity to live independently in the community, supports to improve living skills, money and household management, social and communication skills and behavioural management
• Home modifications to the participant's own home or a private rental property and on a case-by-case basis in social housing
• Support with personal care, such as assistance with showering and dressing
• Help around the home where the participant is unable to undertake these tasks due to their disability, such as assistance with cleaning and laundry.

The NDIS may also contribute to the cost of accommodation in situations where the participant has a need for specialised housing due to their disability.

Supports funded by housing and other systems

Most participants will continue to access housing in the private market - rental or home ownership - or through social housing.
This includes:

• Social and community housing
• Homelessness and emergency accommodation services
• Commonwealth Rent Assistance, a payment through Services Australia (formerly the Department of Human Services) that assists eligible participants with the cost of housing
• The National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) that is creating additional affordable rental properties.

NDIS participants continue to be responsible for daily living costs such as rent, groceries, utility bills and housing costs.

How will the NDIS help people living in inappropriate settings to move into the community?

• Some participants may be living in inappropriate settings due to a lack of support to move back into their home or back into the community. This may include participants living in residential aged care and participants in hospital or rehabilitation units awaiting discharge or having completed treatment.
• The NDIS can fund home modifications to make a participant's home accessible. The Scheme can also help participants live independently with supports such as personal care to help with showering or dressing, or assistance with preparing meals and cleaning.

Will the NDIS pay household bills?

• NDIS participants remain responsible for meeting their day-to-day living costs, including rent, groceries, utilities, telephone or internet costs. This is the same for general household items such as a bed, fridge or cooking utensils. There are some limited circumstances where the NDIS may make a contribution to these costs. This is in cases where the participant only incurs the cost because of their disability or their costs are substantially higher because of their disability. For example, a participant with limited mobility requires a modified bed to prevent bed sores.

What happens if I can't access the housing I need through public or community housing?

• State and territory governments are responsible for social and affordable housing. Subject to waiting periods, state/territory government programs will support most people to find affordable housing in the general rental housing market. The NDIS may be able to provide extra assistance to Scheme participants, such as a Local Area Coordinator to make contact and discuss their needs with housing providers, and funded support co-ordination to assist sourcing appropriate housing options.
• The NDIS will only fund Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) when it is a reasonable and necessary support for a participant due to extreme functional impairment or very high support needs, in accordance with the SDA Rules (2016).

What happens next?

• Participants and their families will discuss their housing and living goals with an NDIA representative as part of their planning conversation. The participant's plan will include the supports the NDIS will fund as well as the supports the participant will need to access through the housing system.

Short Term Accommodation?

• The NDIA updated the short term accommodation price limits in the 2017/2018 Price Guides for NDIS service providers (documents available below).
• The changes took effect from Monday 30 October 2017.
• The 2017/18 Price Guide took effect on 1 July 2017.
• This Price Guide incorporates a series of changes and additions designed to ensure stability for the NDIS through transition.
• This approach to price controls and associated arrangements is designed to help providers to transition to the market environment of the NDIS, maximising choice for participants and providing incentives for providers to develop new, innovative services and products.