Housing crisis on people living with a disability or impairment.

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1 1 Assessment 1 Group Research Proposal - Housing Topic: The Australian Housing Crisis Subtopic: The impact of the Australian Housing crisis on people living with a disability or impairment. Research question: What can be done to address the impacts of the Australian housing crises on people living with impairment and disability?

2 2 I. INTRODUCTION The following write up include the research findings of the topic The Australian Housing Crisis and how it impacts and challenges people living with a disability or impairment. The write up also satisfies the research question of what can be done to address the impacts of the Australian housing crises on people living with impairment and disability. It concludes by giving conlclusions which are reccommendations for the housing crisis on people living with a disability or impairment. II. LITERATURE REVIEW Through a literature review, our research team identified that people living with a disability or impairment are particularly affected by the current housing crisis in Australia (Cho & Uren 2021; Pawson 2018). It was essential to define disability and impairment as individuals living with a health condition that is long-term and restricts their daily living for more than six months. Individuals with impairments are referred to as physical challenges or intellectual difficulties they may have (Douglas et al. 2021; Wiesel 2015). The impact of the housing crisis on this marginalised group is not due to these disabilities or impairments, but rather an accumulation of environmental, cultural and social barriers. These barriers are generating a marginalisation that impacts access to equitable employment and education which further diminished autonomy in engaging with the housing market without systemic intervention (Douglas et al. 2021; Aitken et al. 2018). There is sufficient quantitative research highlighting the need for affordable housing for people living with a disability or impairment. They require safe and appropriately appointed housing that meets their individual needs (Wiesel 2015) . Collated data has shown that the constraints to accessing housing are; location, physical barriers, cultural biases, financial limitations, and shortage of residential care support (Beer, Kearins & Pieters 2007; Douglas et al. 2021; Aitken et al. 2018) . Due to low employment opportunities and below minimum wage welfare payments, people with a disability or impairment are trapped in poverty and are at risk of homelessness, as they cannot afford private housing (Saugeres 2011; Callaway et al. 2021). Accessible and affordable

3 3 housing offer psychosocial benefits for individuals with disabilities or impairments including; community participation, socioeconomic inclusion and engagement in education (Aitken et al. 2018). Longitudinal surveys elucidated the significant risk of homelessness and pathways to disadvantage evident in this marginalised group (O’Donnell 2021), and the challenge to our neoliberal social policy in Australia to accommodate the universal need for safe housing ( Tsemberis & Eisenberg 2000; Flanagan et al. 2020 ). One social policy measure, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) implemented in 2013, has established more choice and control for over 500,000 individuals in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) (Douglas et al. 2021; Beer et al. 2020). The de-institutionalisation and increased autonomy of individuals with a disability or impairment, is amplifying the existing housing crisis (Wiesel 2015; Oliver et al. 2022). Quantitative measures by Douglas et al. (2021) offer evidence that accessible and affordable housing increases an individual’s health and well-being, while improving their overall autonomy. This reduces care costs over the lifetime of individuals to NDIS. Suggesting that appropriate support can offer social justice as well as economic benefits. However, data reviews by Wiesel (2015) suggest that NDIS policy needs to be redesigned to better address the current situation of housing affordability. Social Housing is a National ‘safety net’ which attempts to minimise the housing crisis. Data from the Australia Institute of Health and Welfare report 800,000 Australians live in social housing across 436,000 dwellings (2019- 2020) (AIHW 2021). With 41% of these households having at least one person living with a disability or impairment (AIHW 2020). Which is the highest proportion of households where disability is so pronounced. These statistics highlight the gaps in understanding the magnitude of the current issue (Prentice & Scutella 2020; O’Donnell 2021; Nielssen et al. 2020). Hence further research is clearly needed to unpack how the Macro (Federal strategic planning and funding), Meso (not for profit organisations) and Micro (private

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4 4 sector of informal support of families) Levels of society are addressing this issue at the moment (Beer, Kearins & Pieters 2007). III. METHODOLOGY In order to understand the extent of how the housing crisis impacts people living with disability or impairments in Australia, our student research team designed a sampling research method. Through thirty-four semi-structured interviews distributed via google forms, with nine short answer questions over fifteen minutes (appendix A), insight was gained into what factors contributed to people living with a disability or impairments, from becoming homeless or disadvantaged. Due to the time constraints, we were only able to interview candidates within our scope. These were; friends or family members who were living with a disability or impairment, people working within the field of housing and disability support services or those family members referred to as informal support to people living with disabilities or impairment. The recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed further along with the literature review findings above. The sample data was stored securely on Southern Cross University file exchange, accessible only by students involved in the project. The data was analysed and displayed through the use of charts/tables to provide a quantitative visual representation of the groups' findings and used accordingly in the results. The interviews attempted to quantify the reasons for the barriers and challenges in accessing appropriately designed housing, while the literature review ascertained the existing research and knowledge of the research area ( Djamba & Neuman 2002; Wellecke et al. 2022). Students did examine, analyse and compare responses provided by candidates through the four transcripts, to determine the impact the Australian housing crisis was having on the health and wellbeing of people living with disability or impairments. While also ideating a future ontological change (Fox & Alldred 2015) in social policy to minimise harm to this marginalised group.

5 5 Considerations of values and ethics were taken seriously by the research team when working with the private information and stories of our candidates ( Djamba & Neuman 2002). There were clear measures to articulate the use of and disposal of the information gathered in the interview by the end of the research assessment period - 19th June 2022. The Informed consent form was read by the interviewer to the candidate to ensure the transparency of the process (appendix B). Consideration was taken when disability or impairment was compromised in the communication of information and augmented communication devices or translators were engaged when required. A copy of the interview questionnaire was supplied ahead of the recording in these cases.

6 6 II. Findings Background Information Out of the 34 respondents, 471.1% were female while 52.9% was male Out of the 34 respondents, 64.7% hailed from the city, 23.5% from Regional areas and 11.8% from rural areas.

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7 7 Disability Information 52.9% of the respondents identified as support providers and close families of people living with disability or impairment. On the issue of the challenges that the respondents kn e w someone with a disability or impairment who experienced issues in locating and securing appropriate housing to meet their needs , a majority of 45.5% picked that affordability, discrimination and accessibility (all the above) were all experienced. 27.3 % had experiences issues of affordability only, 15.2% facing discrimination only and 12.1% - accessibility only.

8 8 To solve the issue on the issue of the challenges that the respondents kn e w someone with a disability or impairment who experienced issues in locating and securing appropriate housing to meet their needs , respondents were required to state what was needed to make locating housing possible . A majority of 34.4% stated that had to bargain for adjustment of prices to enable affordability for the people living with disability. 28.1 % bargained for reasonable accommodate , and 12.5% had to involve the administrates . The rest of the respondents did none of the above while others had to: live with the disabled persons, stand against discrimination, accept the discrimination and others relocated. 59.4% of disabled persons did not find their suitable housing in their local area, 40.6% did.

9 9 D isabled respondents , were asked if they receive d funding to support them to afford their home , this was equally distributed between ‘yes’ and ‘no’ responses. 82.4 % of respondents were aware of local services that ha d or could offer Housing assistance , the remaining percentage was unaware. The respondents who were aware of the funding were required to identify the type of funding they were aware or had benefited from. 65.4% were aware or beneficiaries of government sponsored funds (NDIS), while 26.9% were aware of funds from NGOs and private sector . The remaining percentage talked of “others’’ and charity groups . Respondents were asked they th ought could be done, or what assistance could be offered to support people living with a disability or impairment to

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10 10 locate and maintain suitable housing during the current Housing chrisis from these options ;  Prohibit source-of-income discrimination ,  Complete the implementation of the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule ,  Increase SSI benefits overall and include home health aide pay  End the sub-minimum wage, .  Eliminate asset limits for public assistance,  Increase renter protections,  Reinstate the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule,  Invest in accessible, affordable housing to meet the demand for affordable housing units,  All of the above 52.9 % -the majority stated that all the above measures needed to be enacted. 26.5% went with Invest ing in accessible only , affordable housing to meet the demand for affordable housing units, and 8.8% wanted only for the sub-minimum wage to be ended, the rest were sparsely distributed on the other factors mention above. For respondents who were beneficiar ies (21 respondents) of the the housing aid by the government or the NGO Sector, the questionnaire required them to fill how long did it take to acquire the aid. 45% had to wait for more that one year to access the aid, 35% waited for 1-6 months while 20% waited for 6-12 month. IV. Discussions According to the data collected, it is clear that a bigger percentage of the respondents have links to people living with disability either a family member or a friend. This shows that the number of PLWD is big in Australia. House affordability, discrimination and accessibility were the major factors affecting PLWD seeking housing. A majority of the respondents stated that they had to bargain for adjustment of prices to enable affordability for the people living with disability. However, regardless of bargaining for the pricing, a majority of PLWD could not secure suitable housing. 50% of respondents have access to aid meant for PLWD while the other half does not. Most of the

11 11 respondents were aware or beneficiaries of government sponsored funds followed by those from NGOs and private sector and charity groups. Unfortunately, PLWD in Australia take a lot of time before they get financial aid. V. Conclusion It is quite clear that the people living with disability have problems getting houses to lo reside in. With the big percentage of PLWD in Australia measures need to be taken to ensure that these people get suitable housing without any issue and also, that they get aid to cushion their lifestyle from the government, NGOs and private sector. T o enable this the following factors need to be enacted; 1. To address the need for affordable housing units, 2. I nvest in accessible a ffordable housing. 3. Finish putting the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule into effect. 4. SSI payments should be increased overall, and home health aide pay should be included. 5. Sub-minimum pay must be abolished. 6. Asset limitations for government help should be removed. 7. Discrimination based on one's source of income should be prohibited. 8. Renter protections should be strengthened. 9. Repeal the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule. Additionally, it seems that, it has become hard for the PLWD to access financial housing aid with the majority waiting for more than an year. The Australian government should address this matter with immediate effect to avoid the suffering that people living with disability are going through.

12 12 References Aitken, Z, Baker, E, Badland, H, Mason, K, Bentley, R, Beer, A & Kavanagh, AM 2019, ‘Precariously placed: housing affordability, quality and satisfaction of Australians with disabilities, Disability & Society , vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 121-142. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2019, Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings , cat. no. 4430.0, ABS, viewed 22 May 2022, < https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and- carers-australia-summary-findings/2018#key-statistics > Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2020, People with disability in Australia , Australian Government, viewed 22 May 2022, <https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/ contents/housing/housing-assistance>. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2021, Housing assistance in Australia , viewed 22 May 2022, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/housing- assistance/housing-assistance-in-australia Beer, A, Daniel, L, Baker, E & Lester, L 2020, ‘The shifting risk of homelessness among persons with a disability: insights from a national policy intervention’, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , vol. 17, no. 18, pp. 1-10. Beer, A, Kearins, B & Pieters, Hans 2007, ‘Housing affordability and planning in Australia: the challenge of policy under neoliberalism’, Housing Studies , vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 11-24. Callaway, L, Tegloan, K, Moore, L & Bould, E 2021, ‘Audit of advertised housing and support vacancies for people with disabilities in Australia’, The Australian Journal of Social Issues , vol, 56, no. 1, pp. 94-113. Cho, Y, Li, SM & Uren, L 2021, ‘Understanding housing affordability in Australia’, The Australian Economic Review , vol. 54, no. 3, pp. 375-386. Djamba, YK & Neuman, WL 2002, ‘Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches’, Teaching Sociology , vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 380–381. Douglas, J, Winkller, D, Oliver, S, Liddicoat, S & D’Cruz, K 2022, ‘Moving into new housing designed for people with disability: preliminary evaluation of outcomes’, Disability and Rehabilitation , vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 1-9. Flanagan, K, Levin, I, Tually, S, Varadharajan, M, Verdouw, J, Faulkner, D, Meltzer, A & Vreungdenhil, A 2020, Understanding the experience of social housing pathways , Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, viewed 19 May 2022, <https://www.ahuri.edu.au/sites/default/files/migration/documents/AHURI- Final-Report-324-Understanding-the-experience-of-social-housing-

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13 13 pathways.pdf>. Fox, NJ & Alldred, P 2015, ‘New materialist social inquiry: designs, methods and the research-assemblage’, International journal of social research methodology, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 399–414. Nielssen, O, Jones, N, Foung, H, Nielssen, A, Staples, L & Large, M 2019, ‘Comparison of homeless clinic attenders with and without psychotic illness’, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry , vol. 54, no. 2, pp. 195-201. O’Donnell, J 2021, ‘Does social housing reduce homelessness? A multistate analysis of housing and homelessness pathways’, Housing Studies , vol. 36, no. 10, pp. 1702-1728. Oliver, S, Gosden-Kaye, EZ, Winkler, D & Douglas, JM 2022, ‘The outcomes of individualised housing for people with disability and complex needs: a scoping review’, Disability and Rehabilitation , vol. 44, no. 7, pp. 1141-1155. Pawson, H, Parsell, C, Saunders, P, Hill T & Liu, E 2018, Australian homelessness monitor 2018, Launch Housing, viewed 10 May 2022, < https://www.launchhousing.org.au/ending-homelessness/research-hub/ australian-homelessness-monitor-2018 > Prentice, D & Scutella, R 2020, ‘What are the impacts of living in social housing? New evidence from Australia’, Housing Studies , vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 612-647. Saugeres, L 2011, (Un)accommodating disabilities: housing, marginalisation and dependency in Australia’, Journal of Housing and the Built Environment , vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 1-15. Tsemberis, S and Eisenberg, R 2000, ‘Pathways to housing: supported housing for street-dwelling homeless individuals with psychiatric disabilities’, Psychiatric Services , vol. 51, no. 4, pp. 487-493. Wellecke, C, D’Cruz, K, Winkler, D, Douglas, J, Goodwin, I, Davis, E & Mulherin, P 2022, ‘Accessible design features and home modifications to improve physical housing accessibility: A mixed-methods survey of occupational therapists’, Disability and Health Journal , https://www- sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.scu.edu.au/science/article/pii/ S1936657422000140 . Wiesel, I 2015, ‘Housing for people with intellectual disabilities and the national disability insurance scheme reforms’, Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities , vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 45-55.

14 14 Appendixes Appendix A Interview questionnaire EDITED 28/5/22- Interview Outline - Housing Research objective - To explore the impact and challenges of the Australian Housing crisis on people living with a disability or impairment. Research question - What can be done to address the impacts of the Australian housing crises on people living with impairment and disability? Intro group – I am a student from Southern Cross University. We would like to interview you concerning our research project with your permission. It will take no longer than 15 minutes. I can confirm my status as a student of Southern Cross University with my student ID card. I have a confidentiality form that outlines your participation in the research and how your data ………………( Name ) will be kept private and confidential. We will record the interview and transcribe it to notes that will be destroyed once the project is complete – 19 th June 2022. Students in the group and our unit assessor will be the only ones accessing the information we gather today. At any stage, throughout the interview, you are free to o pt-out of the interview or individual questions you do not wish to answer. Interview Questions: 1. What gender do you identify as? 2. Is your current address classed as a city, rural or regional? 3. Do you identify as a support officer of an organisation for people living with a disability or impairment? 4. Do you identify as a support provider and close family of a person living with a disability or impairment? 5. What challenges have someone you know with a disabilty or impairment experienced in locating and securing appropriate housing to meet their needs? Can you elaborate on what was needed to make this possible? 6. Has someone you know with a disability or impairment experienced any barriers in locating housing? Please tell me about this? 7. Did they find this suitable housing in your local area to be affordable or not? Do you receive funding to support you to afford your home?

15 15 8. Are you aware of local services that have or could offer Housing assistance? a. If so, can you identify the funding, how long the process took and whether it adequately meets the needs of your accommodation? 9. What do you think could be done, or what assistance could be offered to support people living with a disability or impairment to locate and maintain suitable housing during the current Housing crisis.

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16 16

Housing crisis on people living with a disability or impairment.

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