The latest Systemic Advocacy Insight Report from the National Centre for Disability Advocacy (NCDA) has uncovered serious concerns about the growing housing crisis — and how it is disproportionately impacting people with disability.

Advocates from across the country told NCDA that they are seeing more and more people being pushed into housing stress, poor-quality accommodation, or even homelessness. With skyrocketing rents and long social housing waitlists, people with disability are being forced into impossible choices — and it’s putting their health, safety, and independence at risk.

As one advocate said during NCDA’s national Systemic Advocacy Forum:

“People are losing their homes and ending up in crisis accommodation — if they’re lucky. Otherwise, it’s a car or the street.”

Locked out of the housing market — and support systems

The report details how people on low and fixed incomes, including many people with disability, are being priced out of the private rental market. Even when they do find a place, it’s often poor quality, unsafe, or completely inaccessible.

Advocates raised concerns that:

• People with disability are being classed as “securely housed” while renting — meaning they are given low priority on social housing waitlists, despite being at constant risk of eviction.
• Wait times for public housing can stretch beyond a decade, leaving people trapped in unsuitable or temporary arrangements.
• The lack of accessible, affordable housing is pushing people into rural and regional areas, away from their families, support networks, and vital services.

Last week, SBS News featured the NCDA report, highlighting some of the shocking housing realities that people with disability are facing — including stories of people placed in run-down motels and left waiting years for safe housing.

🔗 Read the full article here

Housing instability fuels other forms of exclusion

Moving to areas with no accessible transport, limited NDIS providers, or reduced access to healthcare means people are isolated and at greater risk. Advocates also told us that crisis accommodation services often aren’t accessible or equipped to meet the needs of people with disability — particularly those fleeing family or domestic violence.

One advocate shared that many women’s refuges are physically inaccessible and often resistant to NDIS workers entering the space to provide support.

Meanwhile, First Nations people with disability wanting to return permanently to Country are being left out of policy altogether. Current NDIA protocols only allow short visits — not long-term relocation — leaving many without access to housing and culturally appropriate support.

A practical tool for reform

The Systemic Advocacy Insight Report isn’t just a record of what’s going wrong — it’s a tool to help governments, policy-makers, and community leaders understand what needs to change.

This report isn’t just a summary — it’s a practical tool for:

• Government departments and agencies
• Disability Representative Organisations
• Civil society groups and researchers

At DANA, we’ll be sharing more report insights over the next three weeks across these key themes:

• NDIS reforms
• Transport
• Guardianship and safeguarding

As the national voice for independent advocacy organisations, we’re committed to showcasing the NCDA’s report to strengthen our conversations with decision-makers and build the case for better policies and stronger support for systemic advocacy across Australia. The National Centre for Disability Advocacy is a program delivered by Disability Advocacy Network Australia.

🔗 Download the second annual Systemic Advocacy Report from the NCDA website