What Makes a House a Home? The Importance of Creating Comfortable, Inclusive SDA Properties

When it comes to Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), it’s about more than just providing accessible housing—it's about creating a true home where people living with disabilities feel comfortable, supported, and part of a community.  

For Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers, finding SDA properties that balance accessibility with the warmth of a home can significantly impact the well-being of your participants.

In this blog, we’ll explore the elements that turn an SDA property into a real home, focusing on community, comfort, and the unique needs of your participants.  

We’ll also highlight some of Vertika’s next-generation SDA properties, which are designed to offer more than just accommodation—they create spaces where your participants can live a life they love, together with their families and as part of a vibrant community.

‍

A Home, Not Just a House: Why Comfort Matters

At its core, a home should be a place of comfort and security. For participants, living in an environment that meets their physical needs is essential, but feeling comfortable and supported is equally important. A truly inclusive SDA property goes beyond functional requirements, providing a space that feels like home in every sense.

Comfort is about more than physical design—it’s about the atmosphere, the little details, and the ability for participants to make their space their own. Imagine a participant who has struggled with inadequate housing in the past, constantly feeling out of place because the environment wasn’t tailored to their needs. When they move into an SDA home that’s designed with them in mind, the difference is transformational. Suddenly, they can navigate their space easily, enjoy the freedom of independent living, and feel at ease in a setting that’s both safe and welcoming.

‍

Building Captivating Communities

For many participants, being part of a community can make all the difference to their well-being. A well-designed SDA property creates opportunities for social interaction while also providing privacy for participants who need it. It’s about balance—allowing participants to engage with others when they choose while offering quiet spaces for relaxation and retreat.

Vertika’s next-generation SDA properties are prime examples of how community can be thoughtfully built into the design. Take, for example, our next-generation Merrylands property, which offers 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments. This property is particularly unique because it’s perfect for families who want to stay together.

The spacious apartments allow families to live under one roof, while the large roof terrace—complete with outdoor dining facilities and panoramic city views—offers the ideal space for participants and their families to enjoy quality time together. The terrace isn’t just a feature—it’s a social space that encourages families to bond, creating lasting memories in a comfortable and inclusive environment.

At our Blacktown property, the focus on community is equally strong and, environmentally, even more expansive. This property boasts indoor communal gardens with seating areas, providing a peaceful, green space where participants can relax or engage in social activities.  

The large roof terrace takes things a step further, featuring a BBQ area, playground, and even an outdoor gym. These communal spaces aren’t just about offering amenities—they are purposefully designed to foster a sense of community, making participants feel part of something bigger, and turning the property into a home where they can connect, exercise, or simply enjoy time with friends and neighbours.

For SIL providers, placing your participants in properties like these means giving them the opportunity to live in homes that are more than just functional. It means helping them become part of a warm and welcoming community, where they can engage socially, build relationships, and experience the comfort of living in a space that truly feels like home.

‍

Accessibility Is Just the Beginning

Of course, accessibility is a key factor in any SDA property. Every home must meet the NDIS standards, ensuring that it accommodates the physical needs of people living with disabilities. But accessibility is just the beginning. It’s not enough for a home to be physically accessible—it needs to be a space that participants can truly live in.

In an accessible home, participants can move freely without barriers. But in a comfortable, inclusive home, they can do more than just navigate their space—they can thrive. This is where properties like Vertika’s come into play. The Merrylands property, for instance, not only provides wide doorways, step-free access, and modified kitchens and bathrooms, but it also offers a warm, inviting atmosphere where participants can personalise their living space, making it a true reflection of their preferences and needs.

The Blacktown property excels in providing adaptable spaces that evolve with participants’ changing needs. From the communal gardens to the outdoor gym, the entire property is designed with inclusivity and adaptability in mind, ensuring that participants can continue living comfortably as their needs shift over time. For SIL providers, this means peace of mind knowing that their participants have access to a living space that grows with them, offering stability and continuity.

‍

Creating Spaces for Lifestyle Freedom

An SDA home is more than just a place to live—it’s a place where participants can regain control of their lives. By providing them with homes that meet their needs and offer a sense of belonging, you’re helping participants build confidence and independence. In homes like those at Merrylands and Blacktown, participants have the freedom to make choices about their daily routines, whether it’s deciding to spend time with family on the roof terrace, enjoying the communal gardens, or simply relaxing in the privacy of their own apartment.

For many participants, this sense of autonomy is crucial to their well-being. Living in a home that’s tailored to their needs allows them to take control of their daily lives, without relying on others for basic tasks. This, in turn, restores a sense of dignity and pride, as participants are empowered to live as independently as possible.

For SIL providers, ensuring that participants live in spaces that support their independence is key to promoting long-term success. When participants are given the tools and environment to live with dignity, they are more likely to engage positively with their support services, set personal goals, and take active steps toward achieving them.

‍

What Makes an SDA Property a Home?

Ultimately, what makes an SDA property a home isn’t just the bricks and mortar—it’s the feeling that participants get when they walk through the door. It’s the balance of independence and support, the comfort of knowing that their space is designed with them in mind, and the joy of being part of a community where they feel valued.

Vertika’s next-generation properties, like Merrylands and Blacktown, are perfect examples of how an SDA property can go beyond basic accommodation to create a true home. With thoughtful design features, communal spaces, and a focus on inclusivity, these properties offer participants the opportunity to live comfortably, surrounded by family and friends, and part of a larger community.

For SIL providers, partnering with SDA providers who prioritise these elements means offering your participants a home where they can thrive—not just survive.  

‍

Give Your Participants a Place to Call Home with Vertika

Your participants deserve more than just accessible housing—they deserve a true home. At Vertika, we understand the importance of creating spaces that are not only functional but also comfortable and inclusive. Our next-generation SDA properties, like those at Merrylands and Blacktown, are designed to offer participants independence, dignity, and a sense of community.

By partnering with Vertika, you can ensure that your participants are living in homes that enhance their well-being and quality of life. Ready to provide your participants with a home where they can really start living? Contact Vertika today to explore how we can help meet your participants’ needs and find the perfect living environment for them.

‍