A newly released evaluation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s (NDIS) Home and Living Demonstration Project has revealed promising results, highlighting how innovative approaches to housing supports can improve quality of life, independence and community participation for people with disability.

Commissioned as part of the NDIS’s ongoing efforts to design better housing options under its home and living strategy, the demonstration project tested a range of housing models and support arrangements. The goal was to understand what works best in helping participants transition into more independent living situations that align with their goals, needs and aspirations.

The evaluation draws on participant experiences, service provider feedback, and data collected over the life of the demonstration. It provides insights into the practical outcomes of different housing supports and identifies key lessons that may shape future policy and practice in the NDIS home and living space.

Positive Outcomes for Participants

One of the clearest findings from the evaluation is the positive impact that tailored home and living supports can have. Participants who took part in the demonstration reported increases in personal independence, improvements in daily living skills, and enhanced satisfaction with their living arrangements. Many also described greater confidence in managing their homes and engaging with their communities.

For some participants, moving to a new housing arrangement under the project meant enjoying a level of autonomy they had not experienced before — such as control over their daily routines, eating times, social activities and household responsibilities. Evaluation reports also noted improvements in participants’ wellbeing and mental health, linked to greater control over their living situations.

What Worked Well

The evaluation identified several common features of successful housing supports:

• Individualised Planning: Plans that were tailored closely to participants’ goals and functional needs helped ensure that housing and support arrangements were meaningful and sustainable.
• Flexible Support Delivery: Models that allowed supports to be adjusted over time — including changes in staffing, waking night support, or assistive technologies — were more effective in maintaining stability and meeting changing needs.
• Coordination Between Housing and Disability Support: Collaboration between housing providers, disability support services, and participants’ own networks contributed to smoother transitions and better outcomes.
• Community Inclusion Focus: Participants benefitted from opportunities that helped them connect with neighbours, participate in community activities, and build informal social supports.

These themes reflect broader principles that underpin contemporary thinking about disability housing: autonomy, choice, flexibility and community participation.

Challenges Identified

While the demonstration showed many positive trends, it also pointed to ongoing challenges in the home and living space. One consistent issue was the limited availability of suitable housing stock — particularly in regional and rural areas. Participants often faced long wait times or limited options that truly matched their needs.

Another challenge was ensuring consistent quality and availability of support workers, especially for participants requiring higher levels of support or specialised care. Workforce shortages and variability in service delivery quality were cited as barriers to achieving optimal outcomes across all demonstration projects.

The evaluation also noted that some participants needed additional time and preparatory supports before moving into new living arrangements, suggesting that transition planning and life skills development are important elements of future housing strategies.

What Happens Next

The findings from the Home and Living Demonstration Project Evaluation will help inform the NDIA’s ongoing home and living reforms. Officials say the insights will be used to guide policy development, refine operational approaches, and design resources aimed at better supporting participants in housing transitions.

By understanding what works — and where gaps remain — the NDIS can build on the evidence to deliver housing and living supports that promote independence, choice and quality of life. This aligns with the scheme’s broader vision of enabling people with disability to live the life they choose, with dignity and community participation at the centre.