Renee F.’s Post

Having the government directly build necessary Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) housing could potentially save money in the long term and offer several other advantages. Here’s how this approach could impact costs and improve efficiency in the sector: 1. Reduced Investor-Driven Inflation: The current model, relying on private investment, often leads to inflated costs due to the need for high returns to attract private capital. Direct government construction could reduce the pressure to overpromise yields, lower the cost-per-unit for SDA housing, and focus investments directly on needs rather than profits. 2. Addressing Demand Gaps: The private sector’s profit-driven approach sometimes results in SDA properties being built in areas with little demand or inadequate services. A government-led approach could strategically plan and place SDA housing where it's actually needed, ensuring better alignment with demand and reducing vacancy rates. This would also avoid costs related to properties that remain empty. 3. Increased Quality and Safety: With direct oversight, the government could ensure that SDA properties meet quality, accessibility, and safety standards, potentially reducing long-term maintenance costs and enhancing participant satisfaction and safety. 4. Elimination of Misleading Advertising Costs: Private entities currently spend significantly on marketing, sometimes with misleading claims that inflate expectations and contribute to consumer law breaches. Government-led SDA development could remove these costs, focusing on meeting needs rather than attracting investors. 5. Streamlined Funding: Instead of distributing funds to various intermediaries and registered SDA providers, a direct-build model could simplify budgeting and reduce administrative costs, directing more resources to construction and ongoing maintenance. 6. Long-Term Savings and Stability: Government-owned assets tend to have more stable and predictable maintenance and operational costs over time. Directly owning SDA properties would mean that, as these assets age, the government could reinvest savings into future accommodations, supporting sustained growth and resource allocation. The challenge, however, lies in the initial capital investment required and the need for sustainable public funding models. But with proper planning, a government-led approach could establish a more transparent, equitable, and cost-effective SDA model. This would align with both fiscal responsibility and the goal of securing safe, accessible housing for people with high support needs. Marie J. Mark Sweeney Mark Toomey Jarrod Sandell-Hay Peter Gregory Shirley Humphris Bob Buckley Tara Hannon Annette A. Dr George Taleporos (GAICD, PhD) Natalie Wade Jacqui Grant Amanda Challen👩🦼 Jane Scott ♿ Byron Stol https://lnkd.in/gJHSsG3c