SAIF Overview

The Supported Accommodation Innovation Fund (SAIF) has been established to build innovative, community-based supported accommodation places for people with disability. This initiative will help to address the shortfall in supported accommodation and respite for people with disability and their families and carers by creating up to 150 new places.  This recognises that appropriate housing and support arrangements are critically important to supporting younger people with disability.

Supported accommodation and respite places will be targeted at adults with severe or profound disability in need of supported accommodation or respite who may be on waiting lists and who may have ageing carers.

In some instances SAIF may also assist in reducing the numbers of young people in nursing homes or those at risk of placement in residential aged care.

SAIF is an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of up to 150 people with disability, their families and carers. $60 million has been committed over three years for this initiative.

How will the Supported Accommodation Innovation Fund be implemented?

Eligible organisations have the opportunity to apply for direct capital funding from the Commonwealth Government.

Projects could include renovations to existing homes, pooled resources to build contemporary accommodation services close to community and health services, or the modification of established accommodation within the community.

Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate need and that they have secured funding to meet ongoing support costs to sustain the supported accommodation either from a state or territory government or from alternative funding sources such as philanthropy. Applicants will also need to explain how they will fund the ongoing maintenance of the building.

Successful projects will deliver high quality innovative supported accommodation places with all places to be completed by 2014.

Applications for SAIF have now closed.  Applicants will be notified of the outcome of the assessment process once the assessment process has been finalised. 

More detailed information about SAIF and other programs and services for people with disability and their carers can be found on the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) website.