Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) has been in the spotlight following the ABC’s Four Corners report “Empty Promises,” which revealed how some small-scale investors lost money on poorly planned SDA properties. Misleading advice led to developments in unsuitable locations, leaving homes vacant and participants underserved.
Industry experts stress that SDA was never designed for “Mum and Dad” retail investors. From the outset, SDA policy emphasised that the scale of demand would necessitate institutional and community housing investors, rather than individuals. Despite this, some unscrupulous operators promoted SDA as a government-guaranteed return, which was never the case.
The SDA market is now entering a new phase. Regulators, including ASIC and the NDIS Commission, are taking action against poor practices. At the same time, unsuitable homes are being sold off, while reputable providers are delivering safe, well-designed housing where people actually want to live.
For participants, the message is clear: SDA is not in systemic failure. It remains a core part of NDIS housing reform and continues to provide life-changing homes for people with high support needs. For investors, SDA can still be a genuine opportunity, but only when undertaken responsibly, prioritising participant outcomes, sustainability, and community connection.At its heart, SDA is about people with disability having access to safe, connected homes where they can live with dignity, independence, and long-term security.
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