Specialist Disability Accommodation

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) refers to accommodation for people who require specialist housing solutions, including to assist with the delivery of supports that cater to their extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.

The Victorian Government is a registered NDIS SDA provider and owns many SDA properties in all areas of Victoria. The Disability Homes Victoria unit in Homes Victoria manages all matters relating to the Victorian Government owned properties.

We provide a range of SDA properties to meet the needs of people with disabilities that require modified accommodation. The Disability Homes Victoria unit has been created to develop a standalone function responsible for owning, managing, and renewing the department’s Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) in accordance with NDIS and departmental requirements. Disability Homes Victoria is responsible for tenancy agreements, relationships with Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers and maintenance and development of SDA properties.

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing is a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Specialist Disability Accommodation provider, and owns many SDA across Victoria. These SDA are operated by the Disability Homes Victoria unit.

The residential rights of residents who live in our SDA dwellings are protected by Part 12A of the Residential Tenancy Act 1997. Disability Homes Victoria is responsible for having an SDA residency agreement with each person living in our SDA homes.

If you are moving into one of our SDA homes, Disability Homes Victoria staff will send a Residential Tenancy Agreement pack which will include:

• SDA residency agreement information statement – accompanies your SDA Residency Agreement. You will receive this information statement at least 7 days before you enter into or establish an agreement.
• SDA Residency Agreement – sets out your rights and responsibilities in relation to your home or room
• House Rules – includes important things you need to know about the house.
• Direct Debit Service Agreement and Direct Debit Banking Request Form – allows the SDA provider to collect rent from you. Requires your financial administrator’s signature on the direct debit request form.
• NDIS SDA Service Agreement – allows the SDA provider to collect your SDA funding from NDIS. Requires your plan nominees’ signature.

SDA practice manuals

These practice manuals outline how Disability Homes Victoria manages SDA owned by the Victorian Government. Each manual is also available in Easy English.