About the Project
What is the 5-3 Community Workbook Project?
A free, expert-overseen localised housing Workbook - compiled using public data, NDIS figures and AI analysis - that maps disability housing need and supply across every segment of your Local Government Area.
The project helps communities explore the 5 key housing segments in a 3-step process. It is overseen by Joseph Connellan, a recently retired, experienced housing practitioner. It is offered pro bono to Victorian communities.
"Wow… a lot of information to digest - but very helpful."
It's Free
Pro bono - 3 pilots available now
This is pro bono work. The only cost to your community is time, commitment, and venue hire for the Feedback meeting. Three free pilots are currently available for Victorian communities.
The Victorian Context
Across Victoria, disability housing need is growing but poorly documented and poorly understood at the local level. Communities face compounding pressures: housing shortages, transport gaps, limited SDA stock and ageing carer families with no plan for the future.
2026 NDIS changes are unlikely to make things better. Communities that wait for Government to act risk being left behind.
What your community gets
- ›Key concepts and frameworks for housing people with disability
- ›A local, high-level overview of NDIS funding
- ›Data on every housing type in your Local Government Area
- ›Evidence to take to Council, developers and Government
- ›An informed, united local voice - built through the process itself
- ›Two video presentations and a digital Workbook where individuals can record their comments and questions
The Workbook
How it works - 3 steps
The project takes your community through a structured 3-step process, from building a locally-grounded picture of housing need, collection of Feedback from community group members, to a face-to-face feedback session that generates a shared voice for action.
Compile local housing Workbook
A Workbook is compiled for your Local Government Area using public data, NDIS figures and AI analysis, covering all 5 housing segments and the key barriers your community faces.
Collect feedback using the Workbook
Community members review the Workbook and provide detailed Feedback that builds the local evidence base.
Present feedback in a face-to-face session
Feedback is collated and presented at a local meeting, uniting the community behind shared findings and building the momentum needed to take evidence to Council, developers and Government.
How it works - 5 Segments
Who is this for?
Any community group - regional or metropolitan - in Victoria that can bring together local people motivated to get better housing outcomes for people with disability in their community.
Format
The project includes two video presentations - one explaining the local Workbook, one presenting Feedback. The Workbook can be completed individually or in pairs, by people at all levels of familiarity with the disability housing system.
Details
Details
Who is this for?
Any community group - regional or metropolitan - in Victoria that can bring together local people motivated to get better housing outcomes for people with disability in their community.
Format
The project includes two video presentations and a digital Workbook where individuals can record their comments and questions - one explaining the local Workbook, one presenting Feedback. The Workbook can be completed individually or in pairs, by people at all levels of familiarity with the disability housing system.
Completed Pilot
Shire of Mt Alexander - August 2026
The first pilot was successfully completed by MASARG in the Mount Alexander Shire. It surfaced in weeks what years of advocacy had not - providing the most detailed community picture of housing for people with disability in this Shire to date.
Resources
- SDA Facts Figures Challenges (Video)A 15 minute SDA briefing video prepared using data to 30 June 2026.
- Housing PWD in My Community – Mt Alexander (Video)Video walkthrough of the Mt Alexander findings across the five housing segments.
- Housing PWD in My Community – Mt Alexander (Audio)Audio version of the Mt Alexander presentation, for listening on the go.
- Mt Alexander Workbook (Word)Editable Workbook for recording your own comments and questions.
- Mt Alexander Workbook (PDF)Print-ready version of the Mt Alexander Workbook.
- NDS Presentation – Pilot in ProgressSlides presented to NDS in August 2026 while the pilot was under way.
- Housing Disability Workbook – Request for Pilots One PagerExpression of interest for three free pilots available to Victorian communities.
What participants said
"Wow… a lot of information to digest - but very helpful."
"Amazing - the process pulled together all this information pro bono."
"The Workbook Project is a great foundation for our work towards better housing for people with disability in our community."
"The process strengthened our Committee to unite behind important decisions."
Project Document
Housing Disability Workbook - Request for Pilots One Pager
Download or share with your community - September 2026.
Expression of Interest - 3 Free Pilots Available for Victorian Communities
Housing Disability Workbook - Request for Pilots One Pager
September 2026
Housing Disability Workbook - Request for Pilots One Pager
September 2026 - used on website as of 2 September 2026
Housing Disability Workbook - Request for Pilots - One PagerExpanding the Project
Bring the workbook to your community
The Mt Alexander pilot has shown how the Workbook surfaces critical housing issues that are otherwise invisible to planning systems. Three free pilots are now available for Victorian communities.
For community organisations & advocacy groups
If you work with people with disability, carers, or families in a local community and want to run the Workbook process in your area, get in touch. The workbook can be adapted for any local Government area in Victoria.
For local councils & Government
Councils can commission or support a workbook process for their Local Government Area - generating a community evidence base for housing planning, NDIS advocacy, and development policy.
For NDIS providers & planners
The workbook findings provide a community-level picture of housing gaps and NDIS underspend. If you're working in housing, planning, or support coordination, this data matters.
Visit the project website →For researchers & policy advocates
The project builds a community-level evidence base that is largely absent from disability housing policy discussions. Collaboration and co-publication opportunities are welcome.
Reach out →Get in Touch
Contact
Joseph Connellan
To express interest in a pilot, get more information about the project, or to discuss collaboration: