Theme 3: A secure future Independent living can play a significant role in creating stable futures for young people. Being independent is valued by young people and a greater level of independence has been related to increased feelings of happiness and better quality of life.37 Many young people with intellectual disability require supports for independent living. In 2019, support for daily living and independent living were NDIS funded services with the highest levels of committed support for people with intellectual disability.38 This includes specialised support to find and access suitable accommodation alongside ongoing provision of in-home supports. The NDIS has provided more opportunities than ever for young people to secure lifelong supports. In combination with stable housing, young people can now access various supports required for a life of independence. While changes to the housing and support sector have come with an influx of opportunity, the sector has also experienced challenges. For example, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funded under the NDIS is experiencing suitability and supply issues. Also, restrictive policies are limiting access to desirable living arrangements, particularly for people with intellectual disability.
disability and/or behaviour support needs have set a new standard for safe and suitable housing. But there is a significant shortfall in the supply of appropriate housing for people with intellectual disability. A recent report authored by Social Ventures Australia and The Summer Foundation on the SDA housing market in Australia39 welcomed the growth of 3000 new places that have been built since 2015 or are now in the pipeline. But it is estimated 7750 places are still needed to meet current demand.40 And with limited investment into Robust SDA housing, there is a gap between supply and demand for suitable housing for young people with intellectual disability.41 Our interviews with disability housing providers noted that it is critical to have an inflow of suitable financing to increase the construction of Robust housing.
As people with intellectual disability start to live longer and carers age, it is important that succession plans are put in place to ensure continuity of supports through carer and informal networks.
Securing housing Securing stable housing can play a significant role in supporting independence for young people and through our conversations, carers stressed its importance. They highlighted the challenge of long wait times and competing for access to a limited pool of housing options with appropriate levels of support. Since the introduction of the NDIS, housing options and availability for people with disability have been transformed, with more opportunities for disability housing providers to innovate and increase supply of suitable housing stock. For example, the introduction of ‘Robust’ housing builds designed to support people with intellectual
Samuele Fenech, Blue House, 2014
37
Sandjojo, J., Gebhardt, W., Zedlitz, A. et al. 2018. ‘Promoting independence of people with intellectual disabilities: A focus group study perspectives from people with intellectual disabilities – legal representatives and support staff.’ Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities. DOI: 10.1111/jppi.12265.
38
National Disability Insurance Agency. 2019. People with an intellectual disability in the NDIS.
39
Winkler, D. & Ferner, D. 2020. Specialist disability accommodation: Supply in Australia. Summer Foundation, Social Ventures Australia.
40
ibid.
41
ibid.
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