The stated purpose of the 18 month “A Home for Living” NDIS project is to start a conversation about the sorts of homes that participants need and prefer, conditions that will support innovation and foster change in the supply of and demand and the role participants, the NDIA and other stakeholders can take in driving this change.
The project is framed around three pillars:
· Pillar 1: Design in partnership
o by increasing the diversity of SDA options and ensuring SDA providers design with participants
· Pillar 2: Promote the leading edge
o by increased demand-driven development and growing innovative outcomes-based thinking
· Pillar 3: Participants within their community
o by increasing the diversity in support and supporting the greater community integration
A range of activities are proposed as part of the project:
· SDA Innovation
o Define SDA innovation and create evaluation approach (including KPIs)
o Establish a central process to evaluate new ideas and remove barriers
o Develop and announce policy or process changes to open up innovative models
o Commence the design of showcase activities and awards including an Innovation Design Challenge
· Research
o Undertake a literature review and environmental scan
o Publish commissioned research and data insights to address the gaps
o Identify the leading edge in design, support, technology and integrated community from other sectors
· Information about SDA Participants
o Create procedures to capture and release SDA participant preferences
o Develop participant snapshots to better inform future SDA developments
o Explore participant preference survey as part of the SDA Data Release Plan·
· Participant Engagement
o Hold participant and stakeholder roundtables on SDA innovation
o Explore and identify scalable approaches to involve participants in SDA design
o Work with the Independent Advisory Council to develop a participant voice
o Work with participants, peer networks and advocates to design information and engagement tools
o Explore existing online housing platforms to capture participant preferences
· Support Models
o Identify and address barriers to the delivery of support models with stakeholders
o Release a policy and funding model for Individual Living Options (ILO)
o Build participant awareness of SDA and ILO
· Education
o Educate NDIA staff, partners and intermediaries on how to support housing goals
o Promote and showcase innovative SDA and support models through information and event-based activities, including the transformation of legacy stock
o Train NDIA staff on pathways for participants with SDA needs
· Engagement with External Bodies
o Identify opportunities to work with Commonwealth and State agencies to build SDA as part of Indigenous housing development
o Engage with the Australian Building Codes Board on accessibility standards
The “A Home for Living” project has a modest objective, a short time frame, a complex structure and a diverse and wide range of activities. Importantly it embraces a broad approach extending beyond SDA to include Individual Living Options (ILO). Much of the project is underpinned by an assumption that informed and empowered NDIS participants can drive the development and delivery of contemporary housing options in the SDA market during the current new build construction phase. There is little evidence for this to date.
[i] National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) (2019a). A Home for Living Specialist Disability Accommodation Innovation Plan. [online] Available at: https://www.ndis.gov.au/media/1867/download.
