For Participants & Families
What do we do and how do we BEST support you?
If you don’t already have SDA funding in your plan we can arrange an Occupational Therapist (OT) to do an SDA assessment and apply to NDIS for approval.
We will provide you with SDA information, options and possibilities so that you can make informed decisions about your housing goals.
If your goal includes finding house mates, we will work hard to find the best possible matches for you.
We will work closely with you, your house mates and care teams to come up with the best house plan and design possible to suit your needs.
Pathway To SDA have an established network of valued SDA providers who we work closely with to design and build your SDA home.
We will support you to engage with your chosen SIL provider and communicate your needs for your new home.
We will work with your support coordinator to ensure you receive the transition support and funding you require to move in to your new home.
Pathway To SDA works on your behalf with the SDA and SIL providers to ensure you get the BEST possible home and supports.
How do we achieve the BEST outcomes?
Houses (SDA’s) are designed to reduce behaviours and anxieties and increase independence as much as possible. They are also designed to enable staff to keep participants safe and supported. This is achieved by seeking input from a participants care team – families, therapists and support staff. We work closely with SDA and SIL providers to achieve the best outcomes possible for each and every participant.
Housemates are matched as organically as possible by talking to staff at school and programs, short term accommodation and other places that participants attend where we might find other participants who they get along well with and could be a potential house mate. We also liaise with OTs and therapists to ensure housemates are a good match, and of course, get parents and carers together to have a conversation with each other, as they know their children best.
Supports (SIL) in the house are the choice of the participants. Pathway To SDA will support participants to engage with their chosen SIL provider and communicate the supports and needs of both the participants and their family.
How much does it cost to live in an SDA?
SDA houses are purpose built long term rental properties. Just like for anyone else that rents a house – they are a home, not a work place. Its important for families to feel confident and comfortable to visit, have BBQs, a party or just sit on the couch and watch TV – just like they would at any other son /daughter’s house who doesn’t have a disability.
The rental cost for SDA homes is 25% of a participants Disability Support Pension (DSP) plus 100% of any Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) they receive.
Participants are required to pay for their own bills and food, just like anyone else.
Participants who live in an SDA are covered by the Residential Tenancies Act.
Why do I need SDA funding for this?
The SDA funding you are approved for in your plan is claimed by the SDA provider who builds your home. This covers the extra costs involved in building a specialised house plus the ongoing maintenance and care.
SDA providers can only claim from your NDIS plan for the duration that you rent the SDA property.
Pathway To SDA – How is it funded?
Pathway To SDA is funded by the NDIS. Participants require Specialist Support Coordination funding from their Capacity Building budget in their NDIS plan. The amount of hours required will depend on where a participant is at on their SDA journey. Please contact us for a quote and information on services which can be submitted to NDIS when applying for funding.
Please note that Pathway to SDA is an unregistered provider so participants will need to ensure they have plan managed / self-managed funding available in their plan. If a participants’ funding is agency managed, this can be changed simply by asking the NDIS planner to do a light touch plan review.
Pathway To SDA does not replace your general support coordinator. We are SDA housing specialists who work closely with your support coordinator and care team to achieve your SDA housing goals.
Please note that Pathway to SDA is unable to assist with emergency or crisis accommodation.
If you require housing ASAP – please check out the Housing Hub website for a list of current vacancies.
Pathway To SDA – How do you join?
Anyone can make a referral to join Pathway To SDA by clicking on the below link and completing the referral form.
Our team will contact the referrer soon after to talk about next steps.
Please call us on 0438 047 929 or email at info@pathwaytosda.com.au if you have any questions at all or would like to chat further about Pathway To SDA and how we can help.
