SPECIALIST DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION (SDA) ALLIANCE LTD

The Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Alliance Ltd is an Australian nonprofit organization serving as the national peak body for the Specialist Disability Accommodation sector. Established in 2018, the Alliance represents a broad spectrum of stakeholders involved in the provision, investment, development, and innovation of specialist disability housing across Australia.

History and Formation

The SDA Alliance was founded by institutional investors and SDA providers with a commitment to creating a fair, sustainable, and ethical SDA market. Since its inception, the Alliance has expanded its membership nationally and taken a leading role in shaping policy and advocacy initiatives that advance the interests and well-being of people living with disabilities in need of specialized housing solutions.

Mission and Objectives

The core mission of the SDA Alliance centers on fostering a thriving and ethical Specialist Disability Accommodation market that delivers positive outcomes for people with disabilities. Key objectives include:

• Advocacy for best practices in SDA design and delivery.
• Influencing policy and regulatory frameworks to support a sustainable SDA market.
• Engaging members to advance innovation and collaboration within the sector.
• Ensuring that people with disability have choice, control, and access to safe, supportive housing that meets their needs.

Membership and Impact

The organization comprises 72 members nationwide, including SDA providers, institutional investors, developers, builders, financial institutions, allied health professionals, and industry consultants. Collectively, its members represent approximately $1.5 billion in committed institutional investment in specialist housing. The Alliance is instrumental in the delivery of nearly 3,000 specialist disability homes, which currently provide housing support to over 4,700 individuals with disability.

Policy and Advocacy Work

The SDA Alliance actively participates in important policy discussions and government working groups. It has contributed to critical reviews such as the NDIS SDA Pricing Review (2022-2023) and the SDA Limited Cost Assumption Review, helping establish a more sustainable and attractive market for SDA development. The Alliance also provides submissions to inquiries such as the NDIS Review, the Disability Royal Commission, and other governmental legislative processes affecting disability housing.

Ongoing involvement by the SDA Alliance includes representation on:

• The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) SDA Reference Group.
• The NDIA Reform for Outcomes – Home and Living Codesign Working Group.
• The Department of Social Services Young People in Residential Aged Care Stakeholder Reference Group.
• The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Provider Advisory Group.

Legal and Tax Status

The Specialist Disability Accommodation Alliance Ltd is registered as an Australian public company and a registered charity under Australian law. It holds public benevolent institution status, which allows it to access multiple tax concessions including income tax exemption, goods and services tax (GST) concession, fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption, and endorsement as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).

The Specialist Disability Accommodation Alliance Ltd continues to be a pivotal organization in shaping a sustainable and ethical market for specialist disability housing in Australia, ensuring improved housing outcomes for people with disability nationwide.

[1] https://www.sdaalliance.org.au [2] https://www.sdaalliance.org.au/about/ [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/83b59dba-a743-ea11-a813-000d3ad1f29c [4] https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.specialist_disability_accommodation_(sda)_alliance_ltd.b9ec00eb1d4783705b6f6ecf49cedf37.html [5] https://abr.business.gov.au/ABN/View/94629769615