INCREASING Individualised Living Arrangements (ILAs) for people with disability as an alternative to group homes could save the NDIS $260 million over five years and deliver better outcomes, a new report by the Summer Foundation has found.
The report ‘Moving Out, Moving On: Beyond group homes for NDIS participants’ finds that group homes are a major source of financial pressure on the NDIS, with Supported Independent Living (SIL) costs exploding by 28 per cent over the past five years.
“Our independent economic modelling shows ILAs are typically more cost effective than a 1:3 support ratio for SIL funding. Further, the report suggests the government could save $260 million over five years if 500 more people each year opted to live in ILAs over group homes,” Summer Foundation Head of Policy, Communication and Systems Change Jessica Walker said
Built around the choices and preferences of the person with disability, ILAs allow people to decide how and with whom they live—including with a supportive housemate, a host, or another arrangement. ILAs foster greater independence, connection and safety.
The report comes at a time where providers of group homes are struggling to maintain the viability of the service model with increasing vacancies, as people with disability reject group homes for better options.
The report found:
- 520 NDIS participants are living in ILAs supported by NDIS providers in Australia
- People with intellectual disability, Acquired Brain Injury and autism were most commonly supported in ILAs
- ILAs included Host, Homeshare, Good Neighbour, Mentor and Co-Resident models
- ILAs have been a key part of the UK and Canada’s move away from institutional settings. They’ve been held back in Australia by outdated pricing and a lack of commitment by Government.
The report makes a number of recommendations to help ILAs grow, including:
- Locking in a secure pricing and regulatory framework
- Raising awareness amongst people with disability and their families
- Supporting the workforce and growing the pool of potential live-in supporters
Ms Walker said Australia lagged behind other OECD countries in providing better housing and living options.
“More than 10,000 people with disability in the UK are living in ILA-type arrangements. ILAs are based on the simple idea that our lives are better when they’re shared,” she said.
“They start by asking the person with disability where and how they want to live and be supported.
“Sometimes the person with disability might choose to live with a host who has a spare room in their home. Or they might have a home with a spare room that they offer for free or at a low cost rent to a housemate. These arrangements are supported through NDIS funding in the participant’s plan.”
Pete has lived with his housemate Simon in Perth in an ILA for almost a decade. As part of Pete’s ILA, Simon’s rent is covered by Pete’s NDIS plan.
In return, Simon provides the routine, companionship and positive example that Pete needs to stay on track. Since living with Simon, Pete has proudly started a business, become better with his money, cut back on his Xbox gaming and developed a more consistent routine.
The pair have struck up a genuine friendship over the years and would hang out even if they didn’t live together.
The respect is mutual. For Pete, Simon’s presence makes him feel like he belongs.
“We’re pretty well known in Osborne Park when we walk around. The coffee shop knows we’re housemates, and that makes Pete feel like he matters – like he’s not some stranger who doesn’t fit in,” Simon said.
Pete enjoys living with Simon and being able to come home to someone.
“I like coming home to a home where someone else is there instead of it being by myself,” he said.
Ms Walker said that the re-election of the Albanese Government was an opportunity to urgently expand housing and living options for people with high support needs, and stop the flow into group homes.
“Two years after its report, more than 40 recommendations from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of people with disability are still sitting on ice, including the recommendation to phase out group homes,” she said.
“We urge the government to commit to growing ILAs by establishing a framework which includes specific tax treatment for live-in supporters and regulation that supports these arrangements.
“We also urge the NDIA to commit to immediate indexation of Individual Living Options funding for ILAs so that these types of alternative approaches are financially viable for service providers.”
MEDIA: For interviews with Summer Foundation Head of Policy, Communications and Systems Change Jessica Walker, please contact our External Affairs Lead Soman Moodley on 0421 730 854 or soman.moodley@summerfoundation.org.au.