Episode Two: Home Truths – Specialist Disability Accommodation in Australia

Home Truths – Specialist Disability Accommodation in Australia

Host:
Ryan Banting, Executive General Manager, Social Infrastructure, Australian Unity

Guests:

• Jeremy Hope – CEO, SDA Alliance
• Hannah Orban – Associate, Grattan Institute
• Jacob Edwards – Fund Manager, Australian Unity SDA Fund

Episode Overview

This episode explores the evolution, challenges, and opportunities presenting across the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) sector in Australia.

Jeremy, Jacob, and Hannah discuss the sector’s role in improving quality of life for people living with disability, the economics behind SDA investment, and the importance of participant-led design and innovation.

The conversation also addresses misconceptions about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and provides pathways to more sustainable and equitable housing solutions.

Finally, the episode makes it very clear that the sector requires specialist knowledge, deep experience, and strong industry partnerships. For that reason, it is a sector that retail investors are strongly encouraged to avoid.

 

Key Quotes

• “We’ve spent a century housing people with disability in congregate settings. SDA is about breaking that cycle and building equality into the everyday.” — Jeremy Hope
• “We’re not going to speculate on where participants want to live. We ask them.” — Jacob Edwards
• “We need to move away from institutional culture and toward shared houses with real autonomy.” — Hannah Orban
• “Don’t invest directly. Partner with trusted funds that understand the sector.” — Jacob Edwards

Show Notes

• Julia Gillard announces disability bill (May 2013): http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/media/pressrel/2489614/upload_binary/2489614.pdf
• Specialist Disability Accommodation Alliance: https://www.sdaalliance.com.au/
• Grattan Institute report: Better, Safer, More Sustainable – How to reform NDIS housing and support https://grattan.edu.au/report/better-safer-more-sustainable/
• About Australian Unity’s Specialist Disability Accommodation Fund: https://www.australianunity.com.au/investments/sda
• Quality Matters: why not all specialist disability accommodation is created equal https://www.australianunity.com.au/insights/quality-matters

Important Information

Units in the Australian Unity Specialist Disability Accommodation Fund (Fund) are issued by Australian Unity Funds Management Limited ABN 60 071 497 115, AFS Licence No. 234454.

The information contained in this podcast is general information only and contains information in summary form. It is not, and is not intended to be, an offer, invitation, promotion, advertisement, advice, or recommendation in relation to financial products or services.

It is not intended to be relied upon as financial product advice and does not take into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular investor or any other person.

No warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability, or completeness. To the maximum extent permitted by law, neither the Australian Unity group of companies, nor any of their respective employees or other persons, accept any liability for any claim in respect of anything stated in this podcast.

Before making investment decisions, obtain a copy of the relevant offering document or Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and seek professional advice.

A copy of the offering document, PDS and Target Market Determination (as applicable) of any Australian Unity fund referred to in the podcast is available at: https://www.australianunity.com.au/wealth

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. © 2025 Australian Unity Funds Management Limited.

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