Resident story: Tristan and Scooter

“I had actually been evicted and if Housing Choices SA hadn’t been able to approve me, I would have been homeless.

“What Housing Choices have done for me, and having specialist disability housing, has literally changed my world.”

Tristan was Housing Choices South Australia’s first Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) resident.

He was supported by the HCA Engagement team to find and transition into a suitable Specialist Disability Accommodation in line with his NDIS SDA design category.

This also enabled him to have access to individualised supports.

“I was in regional Victoria and there was absolutely no specialist disability accommodation available.”

Housing Choices found Tristan a suitable apartment, close to services and with the support mechanisms he required.

The CBD location of Adelaide’s special disability accommodation also meant Tristan could access the services he needed to manage his muscular dystrophy.

Tristan is now living completely independently, with the help of support workers and his service dog Scooter.

He is also planning for the future – including exploring career opportunities in drone technology.

Tristan is also compelled to help people and wants to make a change in the disability support space after being frustrated with the system.

“I want to actually make change, not just sit back.”