Affordable Housing Isn’t a Luxury — It’s Essential for People Living with Disability
At Access 2 Place, we are committed to dismantling the systemic barriers that prevent people with disability from accessing safe, affordable, and appropriate housing. In South Australia, the need for affordable housing is not a matter of convenience: it is a matter of equity, autonomy, and human rights.
As a values-driven not-for-profit housing provider, Access 2 Place exemplifies what it means to deliver purpose-built homes that empower people with disability to live independently and thrive. Operating and managing over 350 homes across metropolitan Adelaide and regional centres such as Kangaroo Island, Mount Gambier, and Whyalla. Access 2 Place provides disability housing, including Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), designed to meet the diverse needs of people living with disability.
The misconception that affordability compromises quality must be challenged. Affordable housing for people with disability is not about cutting corners; it’s about designing homes that are functional, inclusive, and tailored to individual needs. Access 2 Place’s homes, are built to SDA standards and designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding community, proving that affordability and excellence can coexist.From a policy and research perspective, the Summer Foundation, in partnership with La Trobe University, advocates for scalable, evidence-based housing solutions. Research shows that when people with disability live in homes tailored to their needs, their health, wellbeing, and community participation improve significantly. This highlights the critical importance of choice and control in housing design and support models.
However, despite these advancements, many South Australians living with disability still find themselves in housing that is unsuitable, unsafe, or inaccessible. The reality is that the private rental market rarely offers homes that are both affordable and appropriate, forcing people with disability to rely on community housing providers as one of the only viable options. In some cases, participants eligible for SDA remain in hospitals, aged care facilities, or other institutional settings, because suitable homes simply don’t exist.
The challenge is not the absence of viable solutions, but rather a shortage of housing providers who are willing to collaborate with people living with disability and their support networks to co-design inclusive homes. It also requires a commitment to building for long-term inclusion. SDA was introduced as one important pathway to help address this gap, but the need for affordable, purpose-built disability housing extends far beyond those with formal SDA funding.
Affordable housing must be recognised as essential infrastructure, not a discretionary service, if we’re serious about equity, inclusion, and human rights for all South Australians.
Access 2 Place’s strives to ensure that every person with a disability has access to housing that supports their independence and inclusion. We call on policymakers, developers, and the broader community to reject outdated assumptions and invest in housing that reflects the values of inclusivity, respect, and empowerment.
As one of Australia’s leading SDA providers , Access 2 Place has seen first-hand how access to the right home for people living with disability can be life changing. From complex mental health needs to high physical support, we deliver housing solutions that match peoples lived realities, not just policy categories.
Affordable housing for people with disability is not a luxury. It is a foundation for a fair and inclusive South Australia and a reflection of the kind of society we want to be.
Ready to explore your housing options?
Whether you’re just starting your SDA journey or looking for a better housing match, Access 2 Place is here to help you find the right fit.
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