EPISODE 319 - The Gaps in Disability Housing: Kirstie Shaw

This episode has Minh chatting to Kirstie Shaw from Melbourne. Kirstie chats about the gaps in disability housing, from someone who is on the ground in Melbourne, and this episode gives our listeners a better awareness on this subject.

Independent Living Options (ILO) Model 

The ILO model (aka ILA) is intended to be a flexible model where a person can live alone, with a flatmate, or in a co-designed arrangement. However, it fails in practice because it only funds support, not housing or rent. It is only a viable option if the person can afford rent or access private housing.

Supported Independent Living (SIL) Model Issues

SIL is usually delivered in group homes managed by a single provider, who often controls both tenancy and support. This creates critical concerns, as residents are often placed with people they didn't choose, have little say over routines, and may have staff imposed on them. Support is often bundled with housing, meaning participants risk eviction if they wish to change support providers.

Guardianship and Conflict of Interest

A concerning trend identified shows some SIL providers initiating guardianship proceedings or nominating themselves as guardians. This allows them to gain control over finances, medical decisions, or daily life, creating a significant ethical conflict and resulting in a total loss of autonomy for the participant, where the provider controls housing, support, and legal authority.

Low Eligibility for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

SDA is a very niche and specialist solution, available to only 3% of NDIS participants, not the forecast 6%. It only funds the building, not the support, and is often shared and location-limited.

Public and Community Housing

Public housing has waitlists often exceeding 10 years with very limited accessible stock, and the system does not consistently prioritise people with disability, especially those not at immediate risk of homelessness. Community housing, managed by not-for-profit or mission-based providers, also has long waitlists (minimum 3 years) and can replicate group home power dynamics. Some providers mandate in-house support workers, denying choice, or pressure tenants to change services, or even threaten eviction if imposed support is resisted, with guardianship issues also occurring.

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