Partnering to Deliver Robust SDA Housing in South Australia

More than two years ago, Access 2 Place Housing and SA Housing Trust recognised a shared challenge: the critical shortage of Robust Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) housing in South Australia for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants with complex behavioural needs.

This was more than a housing supply issue. At the time, more than 1,000 people across the state were living in homes that could not adequately support their independence, safety, or long-term wellbeing. Many were housed in environments that were unsuitable for their needs, creating ongoing risks for participants, families, and support networks.

To address this growing demand, Access 2 Place and SA Housing Trust formed a partnership focused on delivering a coordinated and scalable response to the shortage of Robust SDA housing for participants with extreme high needs.

Addressing the shortage of Robust SDA housing in South Australia

Under the partnership agreement, SDA funding received on properties owned by SA Housing Trust and leased by Access 2 Place was set aside to develop purpose-built Robust SDA homes. This approach reinvests available resources directly into new housing supply, rather than relying on traditional procurement models.

By combining SA Housing Trust’s policy leadership with Access 2 Place’s tenant-centred design and delivery expertise, the partnership has created a practical example of how government and community housing providers can work together to deliver meaningful outcomes for people living with disability.

When the program commenced in 2023, less than 5% of all SDA dwellings in South Australia were designed to Robust standards. Within Access 2 Place’s portfolio of more than 300 homes, none met this SDA design category. This gap reinforced the need for a purposeful response that prioritised cost efficiency, quality, durability, and improved tenant outcomes.

Since then, and including homes currently under construction, the proportion of Robust SDA dwellings in South Australia has already grown to approximately 9%.

A partnership model for purpose-built SDA housing

Through this collaboration, a new delivery model for Robust SDA housing has emerged. This model balances policy intent with lived experience and long-term sustainability.

Each home is developed through a co-design process that places the participant and their support network at the centre of decision-making. Participants, families, support providers, builders, and designers are involved from site selection through to layout, materials, and finishes. This ensures every home reflects individual needs, behaviours, and lifestyle preferences.

The result is housing that is safe, inclusive, durable, and personal. These homes are designed not only to meet compliance standards, but also to support stability and independence over the long term.

Co-designing Robust SDA homes around individual needs

Every completed project has contributed to a growing body of knowledge within both organisations. Early learnings around material selection, adaptable spaces, behavioural design principles, and long-term maintenance have informed subsequent builds.

This continuous improvement approach has strengthened the quality and longevity of new homes and has also contributed valuable insights to the broader SDA sector. The partnership has helped build a clearer understanding of what effective Robust SDA housing for complex needs looks like in practice.

Delivering life-changing outcomes for people with complex needs

To date, 10 Robust SDA homes have been completed through the partnership, with a total of 27 purpose-built Robust dwellings planned across South Australia. The program is scheduled for completion in 2028.

For participants moving into these homes, the impact has been transformative. For many, it is the first time they have lived in a home that is accessible, purpose-built, and co-designed specifically to meet their needs.

Thoughtful design and material choices have reduced property damage and the potential for self-harm, while outdoor areas and play equipment, often included as part of the design, provide safe spaces for recreation and sensory regulation. These features were not available in participants’ previous housing.

One parent described the experience as “like winning the lottery,” capturing the profound difference that well-designed Robust SDA housing can make to quality of life and wellbeing.

Partnership-driven delivery that supports long-term inclusion

The program also demonstrates the value of partnership-led delivery. By aligning community housing expertise with government capability, Access 2 Place and SA Housing Trust have shown that complex housing challenges can be addressed through collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to inclusion.

While demand for Robust SDA housing in South Australia remains high, the outcomes achieved so far illustrate what is possible when purpose and partnership align. Both organisations remain committed to continuing this work, ensuring each new home reflects design excellence and supports independence, inclusion, and opportunity for South Australians living with disability.