Australia’s housing crisis is making headlines for all the wrong reasons, but for people with disability, the situation is even more dire than most realise.
While many of us are aware of skyrocketing rents and the struggle to find affordable homes, a new report from the Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) reveals a hidden layer of hardship.
A decade-long waits for social housing, exclusion from the private rental market, and, in some cases, being forced into run-down motel rooms or inaccessible homes that don’t meet even the most basic needs.
A crisis within a crisis
Let’s be honest: Australia’s housing market is tough for everyone right now. But for people with disability, the barriers are higher, the options fewer, and the consequences more severe.
DANA’s latest report, drawing on the experiences of advocates from 40 organisations nationwide, paints a sobering picture.
Not only are people with disability more likely to be on low or fixed incomes, but they also face an ‘accessibility crisis’ on top of the affordability crunch.
El Gibbs, DANA’s CEO, doesn’t mince words: ‘It has been neglected—the housing needs of people with disability—and it is causing enormous amounts of harm and distress.’
The report details stories of people unable to find homes they can actually live in, forced into properties where they can’t move around freely, access bathrooms, or even leave the house safely.
For many, the only alternative is a years-long wait for social housing, or a stint in emergency accommodation that’s often little more than a run-down motel room.
The numbers behind the neglect
How bad is it? According to DANA, waiting lists for social housing can stretch up to 10 years. That’s a decade of uncertainty, stress, and, for some, living in places that are neither safe nor suitable.
And while the private rental market might seem like an option, it’s often out of reach for those on fixed incomes—and even when it’s not, discrimination and a lack of accessible properties make it a minefield.
Taylor Bellomo, executive officer of Action for People with Disability, says her organisation has seen a ‘really significant increase’ in requests for housing support.
‘There are multiple barriers for people with disability: the lack of accessible housing, the limited availability of specialist disability accommodation, private rentals being inaccessible to them, and discrimination—even if they are able to afford a private rental, finding it difficult to be offered a lease due to stigma,’ she explains.
And it’s not just a city problem. For people living in regional and remote areas, the situation is ‘far worse’, with even fewer options and longer waits.
Emergency accommodation: A last resort
When all else fails, people with disability may turn to crisis or emergency accommodation. But as the report highlights, this is no easy fix.
In Victoria, for example, people needing emergency housing must call a central number and can be left on hold for over an hour—just to get a voucher for a week’s stay in a motel.
In regional areas, advocates scramble to find any available room, often in motels that are run-down and ill-equipped for people with mobility or sensory needs.
There are also concerns about the regulation and suitability of group homes and other supported accommodation options.
Some are not registered or properly monitored, raising questions about safety and quality of care.
Beyond housing: A web of barriers
The DANA report doesn’t stop at housing. It also highlights issues with guardianship (with a ‘sharp rise’ in applications since the NDIS began, often initiated by providers rather than families), transport barriers, and inequities in child protection.
All of these factors combine to make daily life even more challenging for people with disability.
Advocacy under pressure
You might think that with all these challenges, advocacy organisations would be well-funded and resourced to help. Sadly, that’s not the case.
The report points to ‘chronic underfunding’ of systemic advocacy, with only 10 per cent of funding through the National Disability Advocacy Program going to broader change efforts.
The rest is spent on individual advocacy—vital, but not enough to tackle the root causes of the crisis.
El Gibbs says demand for advocacy services is soaring, and the cases are becoming more complex. ‘What we’re seeing is the current rate of funding is seriously inadequate,’ she warns.
There’s hope that a new advocacy program planned for next year will bring a much-needed funding boost, but for now, the sector is stretched to breaking point.
What needs to change?
The solutions aren’t simple, but they are urgent. Advocates are calling for:
- A massive increase in accessible, affordable housing stock—not just in cities, but across regional and remote Australia.
- Stronger regulation and oversight of supported accommodation.
- Better funding for advocacy, so organisations can push for systemic change as well as help individuals in crisis.
- Greater awareness and action on the unique barriers faced by people with disability in the housing market.
Your voice matters
Have you or someone you know struggled to find accessible, affordable housing? Do you think the government is doing enough to address the crisis?
We want to hear your stories and ideas. Share your experiences in the comments below—your voice could help shine a light on this urgent issue and push for the change we all need.
Let’s keep the conversation going. Australia’s housing crisis won’t be solved overnight, but together, we can make sure no one is left behind.
Also read: Pensioners face tough housing choices—here’s how to prepare
