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THE SDA HOUSING PODCAST
The SDA Housing Podcast is a leading voice in the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) sector, delivering in-depth discussions, expert insights, and the latest updates related to housing solutions for people with disabilities. Through interviews with industry leaders, advocates, and lived-experience voices, we explore policy developments, innovative best practices, and real-world stories shaping the future of disability housing.
Listeners will gain valuable knowledge on emerging trends, sector challenges, and inspiring success stories, making this podcast an essential resource for investors, providers, advocates, and anyone passionate about inclusive housing.
Debbie Kindness – General Manager, NDIS Property Australia:
With over 20 years of expertise in tourism, finance, and property, Debbie has played a pivotal role in transforming NDIS Property Australia from a two-person team to a 22-member powerhouse. Her leadership drives the successful marketing, sales, and development of SDA properties nationwide, working closely with builders, designers, lenders, and support providers to ensure high-quality, compliant housing solutions.
Minh Le – Founder & Director, NDIS Property Australia:
A visionary in the SDA space, Minh is dedicated to accelerating the delivery of purpose-built disability housing across Australia. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders, investors, and NDIS participants, he champions choice, control, and dignity for people with disabilities, ensuring they have access to homes that truly meet their needs.
Together, Debbie and Minh are committed to ethical, sustainable, and impactful solutions in the SDA sector, bridging gaps and driving meaningful change.
Engaging with the SDA Community:
Each week, we feature guest speakers from across the sector—sharing their expertise, experiences, and contributions to social impact in SDA. From innovative housing designs to policy advocacy, our conversations highlight how we can collectively improve living options for NDIS participants.
As the SDA landscape evolves, we invite you—our listeners—to join the journey. Whether you're an investor, provider, advocate, builder, developer, parents of participants, or simply passionate about inclusive housing, this podcast equips you with the knowledge to make a difference in the lives of People with Disabilities (PWDs).
Share Your Story:
Have an SDA journey you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you!
📞 Call us: 1300 254 397
📧 Email us: podcast@ndis.property
🌐 Visit us: www.ndis.property
Join the conversation and help shape a more inclusive future in disability housing.
THE SDA HOUSING PODCAST
EPISODE 211 - LUKE KELLEHER DESIGNS: Luke Kelleher
Today we welcome Luke Kelleher. He has been working in the SDA space as a Building Designer for about 18 months, and we thought it would be great to get him onto the show so our listeners can hear the ins and outs of working with builders and investors when it comes to SDA housing.
You must be asking, "Isn't the role of a Building Designer in SDA pretty straight forward?" Well, yes and no, as they do play a crucial for ensuring compliance and successful project delivery from concept design to completion. Here’s a breakdown of a Building Designer's responsibilities:
1. Understanding the SDA Design Standard: The Building Designer must have a thorough understanding of the NDIS build design guidelines related to SDA to ensure that the design meets the required standards for accessibility, safety, and functionality.
2. Concept Design: The Building Designer collaborates with stakeholders, including developers, architects, engineers, and disability support providers, to develop the concept design for the NDIS development. This involves translating the project requirements and objectives into a preliminary design concept that addresses the specific needs of people with disabilities.
3. Compliance Review: Throughout the design process, the Building Designer conducts regular reviews to ensure that the design complies with all relevant building codes, accessibility standards, and NDIS guidelines. They also ensure that the design aligns with the approved funding model and meets the eligibility criteria for SDA funding.
4. Accessibility and Inclusivity: The Build Designer focuses on creating an inclusive and accessible environment that accommodates the diverse needs of people with disabilities. This may involve incorporating features such as wheelchair ramps, wide doorways, adjustable countertops, and sensory-friendly elements into the design.
5. Technical Expertise: The Building Designer provides technical expertise and guidance on construction methods, materials, and building systems to optimize the design for efficiency, durability, and sustainability. They also liaise with engineers and other consultants to address structural, mechanical, and electrical considerations.
6. Documentation and Specifications: The Build Designer prepares detailed construction documentation, including drawings, specifications, and schedules, to communicate the design intent and requirements to contractors and subcontractors.
7. Quality Assurance: Throughout the construction phase, the Building Designer conducts regular site inspections and quality assura
NDIS PROPERTY AUSTRALIA:
Our team conducts thorough research on Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and provides appropriate technical advice through premium and strategy-based solutions. We also use complex feasibility calculation spreadsheets to help investors understand the expected annual income of an SDA dwelling, the timeline stages of construction of their property, as well as revealing the hidden costs. By staying up-to-date with the latest SDA data and pricing payments information, we help clients make better-informed decisions and achieve their investment goals.
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CONTACT:
Please feel free to call us on 1300 254 397 to talk to one of our friendly staff, otherwise, just pop on over to our website to find out more.
For any podcast related queries or suggestions, please contact our podcast team via podcast@ndis.property