More than a decade after the launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), group homes remain the dominant housing and support model for the 40,000 Australians with disability with high support needs.
In 2023, the Disability Royal Commission recommended phasing out group homes over a 15-year period, in favour of more inclusive housing options, such as Individualised Living Arrangements.
So, what’s holding us back?
In the latest episode of Reasonable and Necessary, Dr George Taleporos sits down with Jessica Walker and Anna Burke from the Summer Foundation to explore this question.
Jessica shares her insights from ten years of working within government on the NDIS and the systemic challenges preventing meaningful change.
Drawing on the Summer Foundation’s recent report, Moving Out, Moving On: Beyond group homes for NDIS participants, the episode explores why group homes remain the default option for many. Jessica and Anna highlight key barriers, including outdated pricing models, limited awareness of alternative living options, and other constraints.
They argue that a shift in mindset at a government level is urgently needed.
Emphasising that we must do more to grow Individualised Living Arrangements, Jessica and Anna argue that now is the time for government to:
- Lock in a secure pricing and regulatory framework
- Raise awareness amongst people with disability and their families about ILAs
- Support the workforce and grow the pool of potential live-in supporters
The podcast also shares stories of people with disability who have chosen who they live with and how their supports are provided, a powerful reminder of what’s possible when people are supported to take control of their housing journey.
Listen now to hear more about what inclusive living can look like.
Listen to the podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.