Disability Housing

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (15:17): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking questions of the minister representing the Minister for Disabilities regarding Disability SA housing under the specialist disability accommodation (SDA) rules through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: Members of the chamber will be aware that the disabilities minister announced in February that state government supported community accommodation services will stay within government and continue to operate commercially, ensuring that people with disability requiring 24-hour support stay in homes with the same support or care providers. SDA, in the NDIS context, 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.

From 1 July 2017, eligible participants will have SDA funding included in their plan, enabling them to source the SDA they require and choose from the market. SDA funding is for the dwelling itself and is not intended to cover support costs, such as supported independent living, which are assessed and funded separately by the NDIS. My questions to the minister are:

1. Can a tenant in a government owned group home choose their own service provider, rather than DCSI disability services?

2. Can a tenant who receives SDA in their plan, in a government owned group home, move from that home to another?

3. Will vacancies in government owned group homes be filled first, ahead of community or private accommodation providers?

4. What are the options for tenants who do not wish to live in a government group home or a congregate setting?

5. Will current government funded clients in group homes have the choice of other SDA houses?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:19): I thank the honourable member for her question and acknowledge her ongoing advocacy in the area, generally. Naturally, I will be more than happy to take this question on notice to ensure we get a response from the responsible member in the other place.