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Live The Life
You Want

Hearth's Approach

Hearth provides long-term home solutions for people with Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding in their NDIS plan. These are homes that truly belong to you—not just a short-term fix. They’re places where you feel safe, comfortable, and in control. To access a Hearth home, you’ll need approved SIL funding as your first step.

Our Solution

 We’ve built our Hearth Home Solution for you – conceptualised from real experiences and insights from families and Support Workers.

Funding

Securing SIL Funding

Housemates

Finding participants compatible housemates to live with

Coordination

Coordinating funding and roster-of-care with housemates

House

Buying a home informed by the housemates preferences

You choose your housemates

Choose your own compatible housemates to live with

Hearth house

We buy a home for you

We buy a house for you and your housemates, suiting your individual needs

Matching participants

You move into your new home

Our team will help you transition into your new home and new life!

The Hearth Home Solution

Feel safe, comfortable, and truly at home with a space that’s yours to control.

Your New Home Key Features

  • 1-storey
  • 4 bedrooms (3 housemates + 1 overnight support)
  • In Bendigo or outer suburbs of Melbourne
  • Modified for safety (e.g. ramps, handrails)
Hearth house
Matching participants

How does the matching process work?

The NDIS average SIL support ratio is 1:3 (1 support worker for 3 participants), requiring individuals to typically live with two other individuals with SIL in their NDIS plan. Hearth takes the time to:
  • Find people with similar routines, goals, and interests
  • Make sure everyone’s support plans can work together

What are the lease details?

You’ll sign a normal rental lease – with added flexibility.
  • Rolling agreement, with a 5+ year option
  • Stay long-term, or move when you need to
  • Stay long-term, or move when you need to
No restrictions on meals, visitors, or how you spend your day.

Cost

What will you pay to live in your home?

Rent: 25% of your DSP + 100% of your Rent Assistance Non-Support Costs: Hearth provides estimates for additional costs, including utilities, maintenance, and groceries. These may vary depending on the house. Participants can either cover these expenses themselves using the remaining 75% of their DSP. If applicable, these costs also may be covered by their support package.

Real Stories

Hear from families we support about the Hearth Home Solution experience. 

FAQs

The Hearth Home Solution is a unique housing model for NDIS participants with Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding. We help you choose your housemates first, then find and purchase a home that suits everyone’s needs. Our goal is to provide long-term stability and a smooth transition into your new home.

You must be an NDIS participant with SIL funding in your plan. SIL funding is typically for people who require 1:1 support during the day (around 8 hours) and overnight support, as outlined in NDIS guidelines.

SIL funding approval can take 6–12 months, so start early. Participants, families, or nominees are responsible for checking eligibility and applying. If you need help, our Occupational Therapists can guide you through the process.

Once you register, we begin the matching process. You’ll meet potential housemates and confirm funding matches. After that, we work together to find a suitable home, purchase it, and support you through the move-in process.

Your home will typically be a single-story property with four bedrooms—one for each housemate and one for an overnight support worker. Homes are wheelchair-accessible and may include minor modifications like slip-resistant flooring and handrails.

Homes are located within the community, either in Bendigo or the outer suburbs of Melbourne. We work with you and your family to find a location that suits your lifestyle.

Rent is set at 25% of your Disability Support Pension (DSP) plus 100% of your Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA). Other costs like groceries and utilities are self-managed.

We offer a flexible rolling lease agreement of 5+ years, giving you long-term stability with the option to move out if needed.