Agenda
Day 2
Wed 2nd July 25 

Registration and Arrival 

Welcome and Introductions

This session will focus on the critical role of data in facilitating early hospital discharge for individuals with disabilities, mental health conditions, and high support needs, highlighting how vacant Specialist Disability Accommodation  homes, Short-Term Accommodation (STA), and Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) can address urgent housing requirements.

As patients with complex medical, behavioural, and mental health needs face delays in housing placement, the session will explore how data-driven solutions can optimize housing allocations, reduce discharge wait times, and ensure individuals are matched with appropriate, supportive living environments.

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The discussion will delve into how vacant SDA properties, STA, and MTA can be repurposed for short- and medium-term stays for patients awaiting permanent housing or transitioning from mental health care.

Key topics will include the integration of health and housing data to facilitate seamless housing placements, overcoming barriers to housing access, and enhancing coordination between mental health services, community housing providers, and disability housing organizations.

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Attendees will learn about innovative data tools that can improve discharge planning, streamline housing transitions, and identify the best types of vacant housing for specific needs. The session will also cover strategies for collaboration across sectors to ensure that individuals with complex health needs, including those requiring mental health accommodation, are quickly and appropriately housed in SDA homes or crisis accommodation settings.

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By the end of the session, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of how leveraging data can address the housing challenges for SDA patients, mental health clients, and those requiring STA/MTA, ultimately improving housing stability and outcomes for vulnerable individuals.

This session will explore the critical role of town planning in the integration of hospitals, social housing, and Specialist Disability Accommodation  to meet the evolving needs of Victoria’s vulnerable populations.

As the demand for accessible healthcare, social housing, and disability accommodation continues to rise, urban planning must adapt to create environments that support seamless transitions between healthcare, housing, and community services.

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The session will examine how strategic town planning can facilitate better connectivity between healthcare facilities, social housing options, and SDA homes, ensuring that individuals with complex needs can access the support and services they require

Key considerations will include the design of mixed-use communities that promote inclusivity, accessibility, and proximity to essential services, such as hospitals and community centres.

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Additionally, the session will address the challenges of integrating social housing and SDA within urban and regional settings, ensuring that developments are in line with both local community needs and broader policy goals, such as sustainability, affordability, and resilience.

Urban planners, healthcare professionals, and policy experts will share insights on creating long-term, adaptable infrastructure that enhances the well-being of residents while addressing the housing and healthcare needs of Victoria’s diverse population.

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Attendees will gain practical knowledge on how thoughtful, inclusive town planning can support better health outcomes, create cohesive communities, and improve the delivery of housing and care for individuals with disabilities, mental health issues, and other complex needs.

Morning tea 

This session will explore the key differences between Specialist Disability Accommodation,  Short-Term Accommodation (STA), and Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) in the context of hospital discharge and the housing needs of individuals with disabilities. It will clarify the roles of SDA assessors, who evaluate long-term, permanent disability housing, versus the other accommodation options, which cater to short-term and transitional housing needs.

The discussion will cover how STA and MTA serve as temporary solutions for individuals awaiting permanent housing or transitioning between care settings, emphasizing the eligibility criteria and the types of care these accommodations provide.

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The session will also highlight how the role of healthcare professionals, NDIS planners, and SIL providers differs in evaluating and qualifying these accommodations, and how collaboration between these stakeholders is crucial for ensuring that the right type of housing is available at the right time for individuals with high support needs.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how each accommodation type fits into the broader context of disability care and hospital discharge, and how these distinctions impact the provision of appropriate housing solutions for vulnerable individuals.

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This session explores the strategic advantages and practical hurdles of developing Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) facilities near hospitals.

It examines how proximity to medical care benefits participants with complex needs and addresses the growing demand for bariatric design tailored for post-hospital discharge patients.

Additionally, the session highlights solutions to overcome zoning and planning restrictions and outlines strategies to attract investors for hospital-adjacent SDA developments.

Attendees will gain actionable insights into aligning healthcare needs with innovative housing solutions, fostering better outcomes for participants and communities alike.

This session delves into the critical challenges of housing availability and accessibility in the context of Specialist Disability Accommodation . It examines the impact of limited SDA supply on timely hospital discharges, explores key bottlenecks in the hospital-to-SDA transition process, and analyses how policy and funding gaps contribute to delays.

Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the systemic barriers and potential solutions to ensure smoother transitions and improved outcomes for participants requiring accessible housing.

Lunch 

This session will explore the collaborative approach needed to design Specialist Disability Accommodation  homes for individuals with high medical, behavioural, and bariatric care needs.

It will emphasize the importance of working alongside allied health professionals, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and other healthcare providers, to ensure that homes are designed to meet the complex requirements of these residents.

This collaboration will also extend to Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers and carers, ensuring that both the physical design of the home and the care models are aligned with the residents' specific needs, fostering independence, comfort, and safety.

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The session will focus on the key design considerations for high-support accommodation, such as larger living spaces, reinforced structures, wider doorways, and adaptable layouts.

It will also discuss which types of vacant SDA homes are most suitable for repurposing to meet these needs, ensuring that the properties are flexible and able to accommodate the high-support care required.

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By the end of the session, attendees will understand the value of a collaborative design process that involves all key stakeholders—healthcare professionals, SIL providers, and carers—and how this approach leads to inclusive and sustainable SDA homes that better serve vulnerable individuals with high support needs.

This session will explore how integrating smart housing solutions and sustainable construction practices can help meet Victoria's 7-star energy efficiency goals for social housing and Specialist Disability Accommodation homes.

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By incorporating innovative design, energy-efficient materials, and smart home systems, the session will demonstrate how to achieve both high energy performance and cost-effectiveness, all while enhancing tenant comfort and environmental sustainability.

Additionally, we will discuss how smart energy systems, such as automated temperature controls, energy-efficient appliances, and solar energy solutions, can lower utility bills, making homes more affordable for vulnerable populations. Assistive technologies, such as automated monitoring and emergency response systems, will also be highlighted, showing how they improve safety and prevent costly damages, further reducing operational expenses.

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The session will cover strategies for creating affordable, net-zero energy homes, ensuring that energy-efficient solutions are accessible and viable for all.

Attendees will gain practical insights into the implementation of net-zero goals in social housing and SDA, promoting long-term sustainability and financial savings, which ultimately contribute to the financial well-being and stability of vulnerable tenants in today’s unaffordable housing market.

This presentation will explore how smart assistive technology, along with innovations in doors, windows, and flooring, is revolutionizing homes by enhancing safety, efficiency, and the quality of life for residents, while also reducing risks to property. The focus will be on innovations such as automated monitoring systems, environmental controls, emergency alert technologies, and specialized building materials that contribute to smarter, safer living environments.

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The session will highlight:

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• Resident Safety: Technology that helps prevent accidents, manages health emergencies, and ensures secure living spaces, including the integration of smart sensors in doors and windows that detect movement and environmental changes.

• Fire Safety in Government-Funded Housing: Leveraging smart technologies for protection and response, including fire detection systems integrated into building materials such as fire-resistant flooring and doors that automatically close in the event of a fire.

• Property Preservation: Systems that detect hazards like leaks, fires, or power outages, integrated into flooring, windows, and doors, ensuring that the property remains safe and maintained.

• Fall Detection and Evacuation Assistance Devices: For residents with mobility issues, smart fall detection systems, automatic door unlocking, and evacuation assistance devices can be integrated into fire safety protocols, ensuring safe and efficient evacuations during emergencies.

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This session will provide a comprehensive look at how combining smart assistive technology with innovative building materials creates safer, more sustainable housing that supports residents' independence and well-being while safeguarding the property.

Panel includes audience engagement 

Networking and close