Agenda
Day 1
Tue 1st July 25 

Registration and Arrival 

Welcome and Introductions 

As the NDIS marketplace continues to mature, the interplay between Specialist Disability Accommodation and Supported Independent Living  has become increasingly complex.

While these supports are designed to operate in the best interest of participants, tensions can arise when provider interests diverge—particularly where financial incentives and regulatory structures intersect.

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This session opens a nuanced discussion around:

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• ​Where SDA and SIL provider goals may not always align with optimal participant outcomes—and how this misalignment can affect tenancy stability, continuity of care, and service collaboration.

• Examples of how regulatory frameworks may be interpreted or applied in ways that benefit one party over another—such as SDA providers making decisions that don’t fully consider support needs, or SIL providers shaping rosters or placements around funding efficiencies rather than participant goals.

• The quiet risk of “soft coercion” in choice and control—whether from providers, support networks, or substitute decision-makers—where influence may unintentionally (or strategically) steer choices that do not reflect the participant’s best interest.

• Growing concerns around frequent participant moves, where "choice and control" may be used as a tool to pressure providers into meeting unreasonable demands, or where guardians may intervene in ways that destabilise care and housing arrangements.

• The importance of re-centring ethical practice in shared accommodation environments—ensuring roles are respected, responsibilities are clearly defined, and collaboration occurs without compromise to transparency or participant rights.

• What good practice looks like when housing and support providers maintain healthy independence while working in partnership to deliver consistent, participant-driven outcomes.

• The role of genuine collaboration in reducing risk, strengthening trust, and building enduring relationships—leading to more stable outcomes and shared success across participants, providers, and investors.

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As the National Disability Insurance Scheme  reforms reshape the landscape of Specialist Disability Accommodation , this panel session will delve into the challenges and opportunities these changes present for investors, developers, and providers.

Industry leaders, NDIS compliance experts, SDA assessors, and SIL and SDA providers will come together to discuss the implications of key reforms, including the accelerated decommissioning of outdated SDA stock, the shift away from one-bedroom dwellings, and the trend toward smaller, more personalized housing models.

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The panel will also explore the impact of higher accessibility standards, such as the Liveable Housing Australia (LHA) Gold standard, and innovative programs like "Try Before You Rent," which offer new opportunities for investor strategies and tenant satisfaction.

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Further, the discussion will address strategies for rebuilding trust and restoring financial viability in the SDA sector, with a focus on engaging lenders and investors for long-term success.

The issue of vacant robust SDA homes and the misalignment between supply and tenant demand will also be explored, along with potential solutions to optimize occupancy and better match properties with participants’ needs.

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This session will provide practical advice on due diligence, regulatory compliance, and ethical investment, equipping attendees with actionable insights to navigate the evolving SDA sector while fostering sustainability, integrity, and positive long-term outcomes for tenants and stakeholders alike.

Break 

Session Overview:

This timely panel will explore the transformation of underutilised Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) homes into sustainable, inclusive housing solutions for those in crisis, transition, or requiring mental health and in-home care support.
With vacancy rates rising in certain SDA segments—placing financial strain on some investors—this session will spotlight the urgent need and opportunity to repurpose these properties to meet the housing demands of vulnerable cohorts, including youth exiting care, people with disability, families escaping domestic violence, and individuals with complex mental health needs.
Panellists will share strategies, innovations, and real-world case studies that showcase how SDA homes can be flexibly designed or adapted to meet evolving community needs while remaining compliant and functional.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Repurposing Vacant SDA Homes: Challenges and opportunities
•    Why are some SDA homes underutilised, and what systemic or design issues contribute to vacancy?
•    How can these homes be effectively repurposed for transitional, crisis, or mental health accommodation without compromising

      SDA compliance?
•    What role can tenancy management and leasing models play in solving the vacancy issue?

2. Designing for Flexibility and Support
•    How can we create adaptable, multi-purpose homes that serve both SDA participants and those in mental health or transitional housing programs?
•    The importance of trauma-informed and disability-accessible design in making residents feel safe, supported, and empowered.

3. Community Housing and Collaborative Models
•    How can Community Housing Providers (CHPs) lead repurposing efforts through strategic partnerships?
•    Real examples of how CHPs, SIL providers, mental health professionals, and support coordinators can co-create housing and       

      support frameworks. 

4. Collaborating for Safe and Sustainable Housing: Understanding  the needs of Crisis Accommodation, Domestic Violence Support, Mental Health Housing, and the Role of SDA and Community Housing Providers

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This discussion will focus on how SDA and CHP Providers can collaborate effectively with crisis accommodation, domestic violence shelters, and mental health service providers to create safe, stable housing solutions.

By exploring shared challenges, pooling resources, and integrating services, this session aims to minimise the impact of housing instability on vulnerable individuals and families.

It will highlight best practices for cross-sector collaboration, ensuring that people fleeing domestic violence, experiencing mental health crises, or transitioning from homelessness receive the support they need in safe, inclusive, and sustainable homes.

Session outcome 

Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how underutilised SDA properties can be reimagined and activated to tackle some of the nation’s most urgent housing challenges.

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This session will focus on partnerships, showcasing scalable models, and providing actionable frameworks that link policy, investment, and community needs into a unified housing response.

​The panel will explore how underutilised SDA homes can be repurposed into flexible, inclusive, and sustainable housing solutions for individuals in crisis (youth, domestic violence victims and families, child protection, mental health, transition and  all crisis accommodation)   

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By addressing challenges, presenting design and collaborative solutions, and emphasising long-term planning, this session will strengthen cross-sector partnerships and inspire innovative approaches to improving housing outcomes for vulnerable Australians.

Valuations often consider the future income potential of SDA homes rather than solely focusing on current occupancy.

Given the rising demand for disability housing and government commitments to improving access, periods of vacancy are typically viewed as temporary, especially in areas with strong long-term demand.

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This presentation will discuss reduced valuation during vacancy and mitigating vacancy impact   

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Lunch 

Co-living modular housing is emerging as a game-changing solution in impact housing, offering a scalable and cost-effective way to provide safe, high-quality accommodation for vulnerable populations.

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This presentation will explore how co-living modular housing is an innovative, scalable solution for providing housing to vulnerable populations, including those in need of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA),

NDIS-supported housing, mental health accommodation, and crisis housing for domestic violence survivors and child protection agencies. We will examine the benefits of using prefabricated and modular construction techniques to quickly address housing shortages, while fostering a sense of community, safety, and dignity for residents.

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Key benefits include the scalability and speed of modular housing, which can be built 50% faster than traditional housing to meet urgent needs.

The flexibility of the design allows for adaptability to different needs such as SDA-compliant spaces, trauma-informed environments, and mental health-friendly housing.  Co-living modular units also promote social inclusion through shared spaces while maintaining private, independent living, and cost-effectiveness is achieved by reducing construction time, which allows providers to allocate more resources to support services and tenancy management.

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The session will also highlight the financial opportunities for investors, with secure, government-backed returns from SDA and NDIS funding models.

We will discuss the attractive yields, tax incentives, and diversification benefits that come from investing in modular housing projects.

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Furthermore, we will focus on how this model empowers vulnerable populations by providing dignified, secure living spaces, creating pathways to independence through short- and medium-term housing, and fostering community support networks that reduce isolation and help residents transition to more permanent housing solutions.

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Financial models and government incentives for funding these housing projects, such as SDA & NDIS funding, community housing partnerships, crisis and transitional housing funding, and social impact investment funds, will also be explored.

The presentation will include case studies of successful modular co-living projects, such as SDA-approved housing in Melbourne, women’s crisis housing in Sydney, and mental health & respite housing in Queensland.

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In conclusion, the session will encourage stakeholders to embrace modular construction as a practical solution to bridge the gap between housing demand and supply, drive stronger community connections, and create sustainable, long-term housing options for those who need them the most.

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This presentation will explore how Community Housing Providers  can take proactive steps to tackle legacy stock—older properties that may no longer meet contemporary housing needs—by transforming them into valuable solutions for vulnerable populations.

Focusing on strategies for renovation, adaptability, and collaboration, this session will offer practical insights into how legacy housing can be repurposed for use as Specialist Disability Accommodation , transitional housing, and emergency crisis housing.

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The discussion will cover the role of CHPs in addressing the housing shortages faced by vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, youth transitioning from care, survivors of domestic violence, and others requiring stable, safe housing.

The session will highlight how CHPs can repurpose legacy stock to meet the growing demand for short-term, medium-term, and long-term accommodation while ensuring properties comply with current accessibility and support requirements.

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Key topics covered:

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• Renovating and Adapting Legacy Properties

• Retrofitting for Accessibility: Strategies for upgrading legacy homes to meet accessibility standards for people with disabilities, including retrofitting for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).

• Creating Flexible Housing Solutions: How legacy stock can be adapted to serve multiple purposes, such as transitional housing, crisis accommodation, or short-term stays for people exiting institutional care.

• Partnerships for Successful Repurposing

• Collaborating with SDA Providers and Investors: How partnerships with SDA providers, private investors, and government agencies can help fund renovations and repurposing efforts.

• Leveraging Impact Housing Funding: Identifying opportunities for securing funding through programs like NDIS and other impact housing initiatives to make legacy stock viable long-term.

• ​Engaging the Community and Tenants

• Tenant-Centric Approaches: How CHPs can engage tenants in the planning and design of housing solutions, ensuring that their needs are met while fostering a sense of community.

This session will explore the interconnected challenges facing child protection services, youth housing, and domestic violence survivors, while also addressing the issue of underutilised Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) homes and vacant properties that investors struggle to fill.

Many of these investors, facing financial strain, are at risk of bankruptcy due to the lack of demand and high vacancy rates.

The discussion will delve into the root causes of these vacancies, including inadequate placement models for vulnerable populations and a mismatch between housing needs and available accommodations. It will also highlight the broader impact of this issue on child protection, youth at risk, and survivors of domestic violence who urgently require safe, stable housing.

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Key topics will include:

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• ​The increasing demand for housing solutions for young people, survivors of domestic violence, and individuals in child protection care.

• The challenges faced by investors in the SDA market, including vacancy rates, financial stress, and the risk of bankruptcy.

• Potential strategies for converting vacant SDA homes into suitable housing for vulnerable groups, bridging the gap between housing supply and demand.

• How the current housing market affects long-term outcomes for people in need, including mental health, stability, and well-being.

• The role of social housing providers, government agencies, and private investors in developing innovative solutions that meet the housing needs of vulnerable populations while securing the financial sustainability of SDA homes.

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This session aims to provide actionable insights into addressing these urgent challenges, offering a platform for collaboration between housing providers, investors, policymakers, and advocates to ensure that underutilised properties are repurposed effectively to serve the most vulnerable in society.

Q & A  

The Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System final report includes recommendations for improving mental health services across the state, addressing issues like access, care coordination, and workforce development.

This presentation will discuss how housing is a critical aspect of the report, particularly in the context of providing secure, stable accommodation for individuals with mental health challenges and how it highlights the need for more integrated, supported housing models to better meet the needs of people living with mental illness, ensuring they have access to both stable housing and appropriate mental health services.

The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System has provided crucial recommendations aimed at transforming mental health services across the state.

Among the key findings is the need for secure, stable housing as a foundational element for individuals living with mental health challenges. This presentation will explore how community housing providers can use the insights from the Royal Commission’s final report to better address accommodation needs for people with mental illness.

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The report highlights the importance of integrating housing solutions with mental health care, emphasizing the need for supported housing models that provide both stable accommodation and access to necessary mental health services. For community housing providers and other stakeholders, this represents an opportunity to rethink traditional housing models and develop more integrated, person-centred approaches to care.

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This session will cover:

• How community housing providers can collaborate with mental health services to create supported housing models that meet the complex needs of individuals with mental health challenges.

• Practical strategies for implementing integrated housing and support systems, including workforce development and training to ensure providers can deliver the required care and services.

• The potential for partnerships between housing providers, mental health services, and government to address gaps in the current system and improve outcomes for individuals with mental health needs.

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By attending this session, stakeholders will gain valuable insights into how the mental health sector’s needs align with housing services, and how collaboration and innovative solutions can help bridge the gap between stable accommodation and quality mental health care.

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Q & A and close 

Dinner  (sit down 3 course dinner )  -