7 May 2025 | Media Release
NDIS participants still face many hurdles finding suitable homes despite access to NDIS home and living funding. But the CEO of Hearth says the Victorian disability provider has found a solution for many families and guardians who experience challenges meeting the requirements of the NDIS home and living funding.
“Our solution addresses the difficulty many Participants and families face in finding a suitable home for their loved one, after receiving approval for Supported Independent Living (SIL),” Justin Scanlon said.
“The NDIA review has recommended for most Participants to share a house with two other housemates and share their Support Workers as well.”
This is known as the 1:3 ratio in the NDIS SIL system. Once Participants receive approval for SIL, the onus is on them and their families to find a share house, suitable housemates, and Support Workers they can share. SIL funds only the support workers who need to be employed by a NDIS Registered provider for safeguarding.
The burden of finding a share house can be complicated and time consuming. So is the process of coordinating Support Workers between three housemates.
Options such Group Homes have been found to be problematic by families.
The 2023 NDIS Review found that many participants with NDIS housing and living supports have little or no choice about where they live, who supports them and who they live with. The final report of Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, published in September 2023, described serious concerns about abuse and neglect in group homes across the country.
The absence of an alternative model for disability housing is what Hearth set out to address, as a private disability services provider, registered to provide SIL supports.
Justin Scanlon says relieving families of pressure while providing the best possible supports is the focus of the Hearth Home Solution.
“When we set up Hearth seven years ago, we committed to relieving families of the burden of finding suitable Support Workers for Participants and coordinating Support rosters. We did this by creating our Relationship Manager roles. This is what I needed for my son, who is a participant of the NDIS with complex support needs.
“Our home solution builds on this strong foundation.
“We will find suitable housemates for participants through a thorough compatibility matching process. This includes ensuring families can relate to each other and work with each other in the early stages of transition. We will also coordinate Support Worker rosters so that the 1:3 ratio is synchronised as per NDIS requirements.
“Importantly we are committed to finding a home where three housemates can live together as part of their community. This model provides meaningful alternative to the isolation that many Participants experience” in traditional group home settings.”
“By prioritising choice, connection, and continuity, the initiative aims to create a genuine sense of belonging – supporting individuals to thrive in a home that meets their support needs and nurtures their independence.”
Hearth launches its Home Solution after a 6-year process of learning and adjustments. It included engaging with the Federal Government and reversing a property-portfolio-first approach.
“We now start with Participants with SIL funding and then match potential housemates based on preferences, compatibility, and location considerations.
“Only then do we purchase a home that works for everyone as a long-term rented share-house (5-year rolling lease) providing certainty with flexibility if circumstances change.”
CONTACT
For media comment and additional information, please contact Hearth Founder and Chairman, Justin Scanlon.
Phone: 0408 177 527
Email: justin.scanlon@hearthaustralia.com.au
