Understanding the demand for housing amongst persons with an intellectual disability in South Australia

This report on the research commissioned for Minda Incorporated shows that overall there is a clear and pressing need to develop further housing stock targeted to the emerging needs of persons with a disability. In its current form the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) program is unlikely to meet the needs of persons with an intellectual disability, especially as SDA provision appears to preferentially service the needs of persons with a physical disability. If the needs of persons with an intellectual disability (and indeed all disability groups) are to be met either a) the SDA program will need to be amended to include a higher percentage of the affected population (up from 6%) or b) new models of supporting the housing of persons with a disability will need to be developed. This could include a relaxation of existing rules/expectations for appropriate dwelling types/forms of accommodation. Regardless of which of these scenarios emerge over the coming years, additional investment in housing for persons with a disability will be required, and the supply of new stock will almost certainly be taken up.