Recommendation 7.33 – Prioritise people with disability in key national housing and homelessness approaches

What has been achieved to date

All governments recognise that people with disability face additional barriers in accessing appropriate housing and an intersectional approach is required to address the needs of people with disability experiencing homelessness.

The National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness (NASHH) commenced in July 2024, replacing the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA). Recognising state and territory governments' role in the delivery of housing and homelessness services, the Commonwealth provides funding of $9.3 billion over five years to state and territory governments for housing and homelessness services. The NASHH provides flexibility for governments to deliver services that best meets the need of communities. 

As of March 2025, all jurisdictions have identified actions, priorities or responses addressing housing and homelessness for people with disability in one or more of their housing, homelessness, and/or disability strategies.

The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council (NHSAC), conducted substantial reporting and analysis of housing supply and affordability for those with a disability in its inaugural State of the Housing System 2024 report. The 2024 report highlights the rising number of people with disability and that the lack of accessible, inclusive housing disproportionately impacts on people with fixed or low incomes, particularly those with high support needs. The enabling legislation for NHSAC acknowledges the importance of accessibility for people with disability as it is one of the areas of expertise considered when appointing members.

What the Disability Royal Commission said in the final report

a) The Australian Government should, in collaboration with state and territory governments, expressly identify people with disability in key housing-related agreements and planning including the:

• National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA), which should include people with disability as a priority group of housing and homelessness reforms
• proposed National Housing and Homelessness Plan, which should include people with disability as a priority group, and include the measurement and evaluation of outcomes for people with disability
• National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, which should include people with disability as a priority group in the development of housing supply and affordability policy advice, data collection and reporting.

b) All state and territory governments should include people with disability in housing and homelessness strategies, policies and action plans developed under the NHHA. This should include people with disability as a priority group, and the monitoring and evaluation of implementation and outcomes for people with disability.

Joint Government Response July 2024

The Australian Government and state and territory governments recognise the additional barriers people with disability face in accessing appropriate housing, and the disproportionate risks and impacts of homelessness among people with disability.

The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council’s inaugural report State of the Housing System 2024 highlights the rising number of people with disability and that the lack of accessible, inclusive housing disproportionately impacts on people with fixed or low incomes, particularly those with high support needs.

All governments have committed to an ambitious housing reform agenda to boost the supply of all housing, and deliver housing and homelessness supports for vulnerable communities.

To prioritise accessible housing for people with disability, governments will continue working together to develop integrated responses. With respect to the items listed in the recommendation:

• The National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness (replacement of the NHHA) is designed to help people who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness and support the effective operation of Australia's social housing and homelessness services sectors. It provides jurisdictions with flexibility to address issues for cohorts with disproportionate disadvantage, such as people with disability. The funding available to states and territories through the National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness can be prioritised through inclusion of people with disability as a priority group in housing and homelessness strategies, policies and action plans developed under the agreement, and the monitoring and evaluation of implementation and outcomes for people with disability.
• The proposed National Housing and Homelessness Plan is under development and is subject to negotiation between the Australian Government and state and territory governments. It is expected the Plan will be released later in 2024.
• The enabling legislation for the Supply Council, the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Act 2023, acknowledges the importance of accessibility for people with disability as it is one of the areas of expertise considered when appointing members.

In addition, other housing policies and programs recognise the importance of supporting people with disability. For example:

• New homes delivered under the National Housing Accord and the Housing Australia Future Fund are required to meet standards in the 2022 National Construction Code relating to liveable housing design.
• The Safe Places Inclusion Round focuses on increasing access to appropriate emergency accommodation for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence (FDV), including women and children with disability. New builds delivered under the Safe Places Inclusion Round are required to meet Livable Housing Australia silver level accreditation.

More recommendations

View progress on other recommendations made by the Royal Commission.