Individual Living Option
Individual Living Options (ILO) are focused on working with the participant and their family to consider their needs and preferences, and design a flexible package of supports. Implementation often happens in stages and the package includes a primary support approach and supplementary supports. Once established the living arrangement is closely monitored and fine-tuned.
The following describe a variety of living arrangements under the ILO heading.
Hosts –
living with a supporting family or individual in their home.
Co-residents –
a support worker lives with a person needing support and receives free or discounted rent and provides support.
Living Together with a Supporting Friend –
​sharing with a friend who provides support.
Living Together, Sharing NDIS Participants –
two or more NDIS participants live together and share supports, living how they want.
Living Together, Sharing NDIS Participants with Co-resident –
as above, but a Co-resident lives the house to provide additional support.
Living Together, Supporting Families –
families who live with and provide support, but get additional assistance to make things sustainable.
Friendly Neighbours –
a person who lives nearby and assists build connections into the community.
Circle of
Support –
volunteers supporting a person with a disability to live more independently.
ILOs create New Housing Options
ILOs open up new housing opportunities:
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Host arrangements - a home is provided to participant as part of the arrangement
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Private house and apartment rental options - ILO Living Together options assist people to come together and share the costs of renting. This can often open up the private rental market and many more housing choices.
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ILOs and SDAs - My Supports are working with partners to explore innovations around combining ILOs and SDAs, including possibilities to use SDA payments to contribute to buying your own home.
Difference between ILOs and SILs
How do ILOs differ from SILs?
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ILOs are designed around a client, one client at a time
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There are many types of ILOs, with combinations of options possible - this allows many different client needs to be met
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SILs are funding to live in a group home - group homes can feel like you live how others want you to live, and not how you want to live
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ILOs are more focused on the important role informal supports can play and strengthening those relationships - versus a more set roster of support approach in a group home
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Many group homes are insisting clients have a SDA package to pay for the home - ILOs can be a option for many people who will not qualify for an SDA
