Robust

Under SDA design category requirements, Robust housing is designed and built to be resilient and provide a high level of physical access provisions. This is achieved through the use of products, materials and features that minimise risk to participants and the community and reduce the chance of reactive maintenance.

Requirements

To be classified as SDA Robust housing a dwelling must:

• Be built to Livable Housing Australia ‘Silver’ Level
• Use resilient but inconspicuous materials that can reduce the risk of injury, minimise neighbourhood disturbances and cope with heavy use. This includes secure windows, doors and external areas, high impact wall lining, fittings and fixtures such as blinds and door handles, soundproofing, and laminated glass.

The design should also include adequate space and safeguards to support the needs of residents with complex behaviours and provide areas of retreat for other residents and staff to avoid harm.

Funding for Robust SDA is available on new builds and existing stock. For compliance, all SDA dwellings must be designed and maintained to a standard that is consistent with the surrounding properties and neighbourhood, must recognise the importance of outdoor areas and must be built on land that is an adequate size for the number of residents.

Robust Checklist

Download the Free SDA Consulting Checklists

To ensure each and every home exceeds the Minimum Design Requirements and meets the intent of Specialist Disability Accommodation under the NDIS, we have developed our own assessment checklists to assist with the design process. We want to ensure all homes are designed to meet the individual needs of residents and promote an inclusive and supportive environment which enables participation and opportunity.  Follow the link to our Robust Design Checklist.