Living with a neuromuscular condition may mean that you will need to make changes to your home to maintain your independence and safety. Sometimes simple changes are all that is needed, such as installing ramps or rails in your home or getting help with certain daily tasks that make living in your home difficult. In other cases, specialist disability accommodation may better suit your needs.

This guide will cover:

• Home modifications
• Housing and the NDIS (including specialist disability accommodation)
• Commonwealth Rent Assistance
• Public Housing

You can find stories about living independently from people living with neuromuscular conditions in our Living Life section.

Home modifications

Living with a neuromuscular condition may mean that your abilities and the amount of support you need changes over time. Making changes to the layout and equipment in your house may help you remain safe and independent at home. Home modifications might also improve the ability of your care team to provide the support you need in your home.

Home modifications are not always full-scale construction projects. Simple, low-cost solutions, such as changing the taps in your kitchen or bathroom or using smart home assistant devices to turn lights on/off, can make daily tasks simpler and safer. Home modifications also include adding assistive technology, specialised equipment and making structural changes to your home, such as bathroom modifications, lifts and wheelchair ramps.

Some of the areas where modifications may be needed include:

• Access points to the house: to get into and out of your house.
• Adequate space inside the house: to accommodate equipment such as wheelchairs
• Bathroom: to safely access the toilet and shower/bath
• Kitchen: to allow safe food preparation, storage and cleaning
• Bedroom: to safely get in/out of bed and access clothing
• Living areas: to ensure seating and relaxation spaces are adequate
• Type of flooring: to prevent falls or trips, or to accommodate mobility aids and wheelchairs
• Width of doorways: to accommodate mobility aids and equipment
• Electrical fittings: to make lights and other controls accessible

An occupational therapist (OT) can provide advice about changes that can help you stay safe and independent in your home, both now and into the future.

If more extensive or complex changes to your home are recommended by an OT, the NDIA may also fund a project manager or independent building certifier to oversee the work.

If you need further support with accessing housing modifications you can also contact your state or territory neuromuscular organisation for advice.

Housing and the NDIS

The NDIS has information about home modifications, including this guide: NDIS Home modifications explained. If you have an NDIS plan, you should discuss your needs for housing modifications at your NDIS planning meeting. Funding may be provided for an assessment to be completed by an OT.

• has published a Complex Home Modification Guide for builders and assessors to explain what information the NDIA needs to approve assessments and quotes for complex home modifications works.
• has information about how the NDIS assists people with neuromuscular conditions to live independently, including the support NDIS can provide and other housing support available elsewhere: Housing and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• Muscular Dystrophy United Kingdom (UK) has an Adaptations Manual: for children and adults with muscle-wasting conditions . Although this is written from a UK perspective it provides examples of changes that could be needed to a house to ensure a person with a neuromuscular condition has a safe and comfortable living environment.
• Your state or territory neuromuscular organisation may be able to provide more information about accessing support and housing under NDIS.

Specialist Disability Accommodation

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is for people with very high support needs who need specialised housing. The NDIS may also contribute to the cost of accommodation if you need specialised housing due to your neuromuscular condition but it is limited to people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. You can learn more here Specialist Disability Accommodation

The following organisations may be able to assist if you are looking for Specialist Disability Housing under NDIS.

• Youngcare’s High Care Housing is for people with high physical support, who are eligible for SDA within their NDIS plan.
• The Summer Foundation is committed to growing a movement that will resolve the issue of young people living in nursing homes. Supporting, informing and empowering people with disability and their families is key to resolving this issue. There are many resources on their website relating to housing and NDIS.
• The Housing Hub is a new way for people with disability to find suitable housing. It advertises vacancies for apartments and houses that are owned by housing providers. It also has a library of useful information about housing options and planning your move.

Commonwealth Rent Assistance

Rent Assistance is a non-taxable income supplement payable to eligible people who rent in the private rental market or community housing. Pensioners, allowees and those receiving more than the base rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A may be eligible for Rent Assistance.

Public Housing

Each State and Territory in Australia has public housing that you may be able to access if you have a disability. Below are links to the website for each State and Territory:

• Australian Capital Territory: Housing & Community Services ACT is responsible for the provision of social housing and community services in the Territory. The organisation allocates, manages and maintains public and community housing properties and coordinates comprehensive support services and community participation programs for its tenants.
• New South Wales: Housing NSW Find out how we can help you find or keep your housing, how to apply for private rental assistance or social housing, understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant or request help with a property and find out more about management transfers
• Northern Territory: Northern Territory Government Information for public housing tenants and people who want to apply for public housing.
• Queensland: Queensland Government See housing for people with disability section.
• South Australia: Government of South Australia
• Tasmania: Housing Tasmania provides affordable and secure housing for Tasmanians on low incomes or with special needs.
• Victoria: Housing Victoria This website is the source of information for current public housing tenants, potential social housing tenants and anyone wanting to know about housing in Victoria.
• Western Australia: The Housing Authority provides rental accommodation to eligible households across Western Australia. See the section Options for people with a disability.