Supporting Individuals in Shared Living  

Group or shared living arrangements for individuals with a disability can offer many benefits, including promoting a sense of community, fostering an environment of peer support, and improving social connection.

However, whether it’s NDIS-funded accommodation – such as Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), Supported Independent Living (SIL) or a group home – or other type of arrangement, shared living can sometimes present individuals and practitioners with a range of challenges:

Accessibility issues

Sometimes, group living arrangements, including shared housing or facilities, may not be fully accessible to individuals with different types of disability. This includes issues with physical spaces such as doorways, bathrooms, and kitchen layouts, as well as transport options for those with mobility needs.

Any barrier to accessibility can lead to feelings of frustration and anger, which may manifest in behaviour that needs support.

Download our Accessibility Plan template.

Personalised support limitations

Individuals living together often have a diverse range of needs which can make it challenging to provide personalised support. One potential outcome is that individuals may not receive the best, most appropriate care for their specific needs, leaving them feeling isolated or unsupported within their living environment.

Conflict and discrimination

Although shared living can often help to foster a sense of community and connection, it can also sometimes lead to conflict, discrimination, or social isolation, particularly if personal issues arise between individuals, or if they have widely divergent needs.

Negative stereotypes and stigma associated with disability can lead to discrimination towards group living arrangements, both from the wider community and within the shared living space itself.

Limited autonomy and independence

In some group living arrangements, individuals may feel that their personal autonomy is being restricted. This can be particularly difficult for people who wish to maintain their independence or make their own decisions regarding daily life, routines, and activities.