Can you build an NDIS home in my location?

This is a question we get a lot, and the simple answer is YES, we can build an NDIS home pretty much anywhere in Australia. For those that don’t know, the NDIS is providing funding for people to build customised homes. This part of the NDIS is called Specialist Disability Accommodation or SDA.

If you qualify for SDA funding, one of your most important considerations is where to build your new home.

Now, this is an important consideration for any Australian, we all want to live somewhere we like. Our lifestyle, interests and proximity to family are important considerations.

There are of course limitations on all of our choices. Money obviously dictates what’s possible.

This is true for any Australian and for NDIS recipients receiving SDA funding. SDA recipients have funding approved within their NDIS plan depending on their needs. SDA funding can range from $13,000 up to $90,000 per annum. This money is calculated on an annual basis and paid directly to the NDIS Housing Provider who builds your home.

SDA rules now support living with family and friends

One important consideration, which can assist, is whether or not to live with family or a flatmate in your SDA home. The SDA rules now support shared living with family and friends. In this scenario, the SDA payment contributes to rent alongside payments from other residents. The additional rent paid by people living with an NDIS recipient can make all the difference when the SDA home is located in an expensive area.

Average lot sizes in many parts of Australia are becoming smaller and more expensive. Because SDA homes are customised and often require more space, block size and location are important considerations. While larger blocks may be more expensive, they can accommodate a duplex style development that would support a shared living arrangement. A Robust home is an example of an SDA category that requires larger blocks of land due to its layout requirements. Finding a suitable block is key, ideally, you want a flat block of land, which simplifies the construction process. The more difficult your block is to build on, the more expensive your SDA home will be.

Over the next five years, BlueCHP, through our Guide You Home initiative aims to build homes for 1,250 people. The team manages everything from purchasing land, financing the development and manages everything required for construction. They consult with the SDA recipient and their families throughout the process to ensure the home is truly suited to your needs.