The Federal Government has announced the formation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Reference Group.
It includes 15 appointed representatives from across the disability sector, including SDA providers such as community housing providers, investors, financiers, developers and research and policy organisations as well as participants and government representatives. The group will be joined by representatives from the Department of Social Services, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and the National Disability Insurance Council (NDIA).
“At full Scheme, the NDIS is expected to provide around $700 million a year to participants to access high quality, fit-for-purpose housing in a variety of configurations to suit people’s needs and preferences,” Minister for Social Services Paul Fletcher said.
“The purpose of the SDA reference group is to represent participants, providers, investors and other key stakeholders to support and promote the development of the SDA market as we implement reforms announced in February designed to improve choice and control for participants” he said.
In addition to government, the SDA Reference Group members include:
- Ability First Australia
- Achieve Australia
- Guardian Living
- InHousing
- Lighthouse Infrastructure
- Macquarie Group
- National Disability Services
- People with Disability Australia
- Power Housing
- SDA Alliance
- Spinal Cord Injuries Australia
- Summer Housing
- Supported Independent Living Co-op
- The Summer Foundation
- Youngcare
The government announced the establishment of the SDA Reference Group in February as part of a suite of reforms to improve investor confidence and increase the supply of disability housing for eligible NDIS participants. The group is expected to meet regularly, with the first meeting planned for the end of March 2019. It will consult with other stakeholders where appropriate, including state and territory governments.