Housing options for people with disability
Housing options are about thinking how you live in a home, what you need to support your lifestyle, and what is required to live there.
Keep in mind that while there are different housing options, they can sometimes be hard to access and might take time to become available. You will need to apply for the housing you choose, and others might be applying too. It is important to consider all your options, ask questions, and get the right advice to make the best choice for your situation.
Your housing needs might change over time, and a different option could suit you better in the future.
Housing that meets your needs enables you to live more independently, supports your health and wellbeing, and enables you to participate in all aspects of life.
In Queensland, most housing support is provided by the state government and community organisations. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland (NIISQ) may fund support that helps you live independently.
If your situation is urgent
If you are homeless, unsafe at home or about to lose your home, reach out for help.
Emergency and temporary housing – more information
Renting
What is it?
Houses, apartments, or townhouses available that anyone can rent through a real estate agency or direct with a private owner.
Who is it for?
People who want to live independently, either by themselves or with others.
What are the benefits?
You have plenty of options for where to live and who to live with.
It can be readily available.
Things to consider
Renting in the private sector can be expensive.
Long term security can vary.
More affordable accommodation might include houses in less desirable locations, such as along a main road, in areas with limited transport options, or properties that may be in poorer condition.
Help with renting
You may be eligible for help getting into a rental home or making your rental home work better for you.
Help finding a rental home
The RentConnect service can help you with finding and applying for a rental home that meets your needs.
Help with renting costs
If you receive an income support payment from the Australian Government, you may be eligible for Rent Assistance as well.
If you need help with other costs of renting, you may be eligible for help from the Queensland Government to pay bond, temporarily subsidise your rent, or catch up if you’ve fallen behind.
Making your rental home more accessible
As a renter, you may be able to modify your rental home to make your home more accessible. You may also be eligible for financial help with modifications.
Your rights as a renter
In Queensland, the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) provides information and support for your rights as a renter.
You can also visit Dispute support for renters.
Information about your right to keep an assistance animal (e.g. guide dog or hearing dog) in a rental home.
Social housing—public and community housing
What is it?
Social housing includes both public housing and community housing. To ensure people in the highest need can access social housing, there are eligibility criteria that must be met.
These properties can be owned by the government, a community housing provider or sometimes leased from the private market.
They can be different types of housing including apartments, duplexes, townhouses, or a house.
Who is it for?
It is for eligible people in the highest need of housing who find it hard to access or afford to rent a home in the private rental market.
You pay rent to the housing provider at a low or subsidised cost, usually a percentage of your household income.
What are the benefits?
Rent is set based on the household’s income. For most people in social housing, it is more affordable than renting privately.
Once you get a public or community housing home you will be supported as long as you continue to be eligible and have a need for social housing.
Things to consider
It is important to know that there is one application process for both public and community housing in Queensland.
Public and community housing is offered to people with the highest need first. Even if you’re eligible for public or community housing, it’s hard to predict if or when you’ll be offered housing.
If you have a disability, your application will cover what you need to live independently in your home. Your housing provider will take your needs into account when offering you a home.
The housing provider makes offers of housing as a vacancy arises in one of your suburb choices. This is different to private rental or shared living where you get to look at all advertised properties and decide from the options available.
You need to tell your tenancy manager (department or community housing provider) if there are changes to your household.
In most cases, tenants in public housing can keep pets and assistance animals.
More information
Applying for public or community housing
Buying and owning a home
What is it?
People can purchase their own home which is called home ownership.
Who is it for?
People who can save enough for a home loan deposit and have a regular income to make home loan repayments.
Benefits
You can modify and adapt your home to meet your needs.
Owning a home means you can stay there for as long as you want.
Homes may increase in value, so you might make money if you sell your home later.
Things to consider
If you want to buy a home, you may be eligible for financial help.
It is expensive to buy a house.
You will have regular bills such as rates, insurance, and maintenance /repair costs.
Your home loan payments will change as interest rates go up and down.
As a homeowner, you may be able to get help to make your make your home more accessible.
Help with buying and owning a home
Financial help to buy
If you can’t get a home loan from a private lender (e.g. a bank), you may qualify for a low-deposit home loan from the Queensland Government.
Explore other financial help for home buyers and homeowners.
Making your home more accessible
As a homeowner, you may be able to modify your home to make your home more accessible. You may also be eligible for financial help with modifications.
Accessibility standards for new homes
If the home you’re buying is a new build, it must comply with a minimum accessibility standard for new homes.
Sharing a home
What is it?
Sharing a home means living in the same house with others. This could be friends, family or other people you have chosen to live with.
You share common areas like:
- the kitchen
- the living room
- the bathroom.
Who is it for?
People who want to share support, rent, or bills like electricity.
What are the benefits?
It can be more affordable since costs are shared.
You can share support with your housemates if you have similar needs.
It is often more readily available than other housing options.
Shared living can come fully furnished.
Things to consider
Whether you own or rent, sharing your home could give you practical help to live at home, companionship or the security of having someone else around.
You could, for example:
- live in your own home and a person without disability moves in to help you with everyday tasks in return for free or reduced rent.
- live in the home of a person without disability and contribute towards the rent, saving both of you money and enabling you to live more independently.
You need to get along with your housemates and agree on how to share the space such as cleaning, cooking and expenses.
Sometimes you may need to compromise on privacy or how things are done in the house.
There can be rules in private rental and social housing tenancy agreements that prevent sharing options. If you want to share your private rental or social home, contact your tenancy manager/landlord.
Living with others can affect the amount of Rent Assistance you get from the Australian Government.
More information
A good place to start your search is the share accommodation website, Flatmates.
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
What is it?
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is funded by National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
If you are a participant of the NDIS and think you are eligible for SDA, talk to your NDIS support coordinator.
If you have approved SDA as part of your NDIS plan, you will be eligible for one of the four design categories below:
- improved liveability
- robust
- fully accessible
- high physical support.
Your support coordinator will be able to help you find a suitable house. Current SDA vacancies are advertised for NDIS participants on the SDA Finder.
SDA has accessible features to help participants live more independently and allow other supports to be delivered better or more safely.
Who is it for?
People who need housing with special design features due to their disability, making the home more accessible for them.
What are the benefits?
The SDA will include accessible features to help you live more independently and make it easier and safer to provide other supports.
Things to consider
You must be approved for SDA through the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme).
Only a small number of people are eligible for SDA. This is because most people can live in general housing even if they need some modifications or assistive technology to do so.
You must apply for, and be approved for, SDA through the NDIS. No other providers can determine whether you are eligible for or will be approved for SDA.
You don’t have to live with someone you have not chosen to live with. The SDA provider or your NDIS support provider should not choose who you live with, without involving you in this decision.
In some cases, the NDIA can provide adjustments to your SDA funding if you want to share your SDA home with people who are not SDA eligible.
More information
Other housing options
While these types of accommodation may not be ideal for people with disability, they may still be an option in some circumstances.
If you are currently living in one of these types of accommodation and it doesn’t meet your needs, you may have options to live somewhere else.
Residential Services
Residential services is a type of rooming accommodation. This means you usually share a kitchen, bathroom, dining room and common rooms. You may have a room to yourself or share your room with others. Some residential services offer meals and personal care.
Residential services are privately owned and operated. In Queensland, they must be registered and accredited with the government. They must comply with standards including cleanliness, safety and security.
Find out more about residential services
Aged care homes
Aged care homes are for people who can no longer live in their own home and need help with everyday tasks or healthcare. They are mainly for people aged 65 years or older.
In exceptional circumstances, a younger person with a disability, dementia or other special care needs may be living in an aged care home.
In Australia, aged care is managed by the Australian Government.
Other help to find housing
It can be difficult to find housing that meets your needs and fits your budget. The following organisations can help.
Housing Service Centres
- Housing Service Centres—support people in Queensland to find housing supports that they need. They can check your eligibility for a range of housing products and services.
Useful websites
- Housing Hub—Australia’s largest accessible housing platform, helping people with disability find suitable housing and access NDIS ‘home and living’ supports.
- People with Disability Australia—provides a range of services that support people with disability to secure housing that best suits their needs.
- Ask Izzy is a directory of support services for people in need. It covers many types of help including help with meals and everyday tasks. You can find services in your area from the government and community organisations.
Housing discrimination
If you believe you’re experiencing discrimination due to your disability, first try to resolve the matter directly with that person or organisation.
If you can’t resolve it:
- Renters can get support to resolve rental disputes.
- If your housing provider is accredited or regulated (that is, if it is required to meet certain standards) there should be a formal process for making a complaint.
- A complaint about a real estate agent (except for rental property management) can be made to the Office of Fair Trading.
Or you can contact the Queensland Human Rights Commission.