Empowered Liveability

31/12/2025

Another year of impact, innovation, and collaboration

As we look back on everything the Empowered Liveability team achieved in 2025 - together with our incredible partners across the sector - we’re reminded just how important it is to look after our own wellbeing too.

Our annual team retreat was once again a chance to recharge, refocus, reconnect, and realign. Taking time to laugh, learn and re-energise as a team is one of the best investments we make each year.

We’re already counting down to Retreat 2026!

Here’s to another year of growth, purpose and supporting our community.

29/12/2025

Taking a moment to rest these holidays? This one’s perfect to listen to while you unwind. 💜

Nicole Makin-Doherty sat down with Sarah Heriot from Sarah Knows Support Workers for a real, honest conversation about SDA housing — what’s working, what isn’t, and what needs to change.

It’s a genuine, no-noise discussion from two women who live and breathe the NDIS and support sector every day.

🎧 Tune in: https://empoweredliveability.com.au/sarah-knows-support-workers/

26/12/2025

We’ve had so many meaningful moments this year that we had to split them into two collections. 💜

Every person we’ve met and every event we’ve attended has strengthened our mission to help participants and their families live life on their own terms.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to even more impact in the year ahead. ✨

24/12/2025

From all of us at Empowered Liveability — Merry Christmas! 🎄💜

We wish our participants, families, partners, and wider community a joyful and relaxing holiday season.

Thank you for being part of another year of choice, collaboration, and building homes that truly feel like home.

23/12/2025

If you're enjoying a slower pace these holidays, this is a powerful and insightful listen. 🎙️

Nicole Makin-Doherty joined Dr Johari Hussein Nassor Amar to unpack why so many Australians are still locked out of homes that truly work for them — and what needs to shift.

They explore:
🔹 Why less than 5% of new homes meet basic accessibility standards
🔹 Why 40% of SDA rooms sit vacant while people wait for a home
🔹 How inclusive design benefits everyone
🔹 The crossover between SDA and social housing
🔹 How design, location, and policy misunderstandings are limiting choice and control

If you care about inclusive housing, dignity, and the future of accessible design in Australia, this one’s a must-listen.

🎧 Listen here: https://empoweredliveability.com.au/reframing-the-role/

23/12/2025

Three years ago, Dyson’s life changed in an instant after a spinal cord injury during a footy match.
What didn’t change was his spirit — and the support of his incredible fiancée, Emily.

Today, Dyson and Emily are building their forever home, with our team walking beside them every step of the way.
From plan reviews to colour selections, to sharing laughs at the builder’s office — it’s been a privilege to support this journey.

Their home will be filled with character, comfort, and custom features (including that stunning fireplace they’ve always wanted).
Life may look different now, but their future is bright — and they’re creating it on their own terms.

We’re honoured to follow Dyson and Emily as they take this next big step toward home ownership. Stay tuned for more updates.

To explore building your own SDA home:
📞 1300 974 912
📧 bronwen@empoweredliveability.com.au

Watch & share Dyson’s story: https://youtu.be/kQub866ay-E

21/12/2025

✨ It takes a village — and ours is extraordinary. ✨

In 2025, we were reminded that the true strength of our organisation doesn’t sit within four walls — it lives in the relationships we’ve built, nurtured, and grown alongside so many incredible people across the disability sector.
This piece isn’t about milestones or metrics.

It’s about you.

The collaborators who showed up.

The organisations who shared knowledge, time, and trust.

The partners who believe — as deeply as we do — that better outcomes are created together.

We’ve written a thank you article dedicated to every organisation, advocate, coordinator, provider, and community member who walked beside us this year. If you were part of our journey in 2025, this is for you 💛

👉 Read our open thank you to our collaborators and community.
https://empoweredliveability.com.au/a-year-of-collaboration-celebrating-relationships-in-2025/

At Empowered Liveability, we often say that collaboration sits at the heart of everything we do. In 2025, that belief was not just reinforced – it was deepened, expanded and...

19/12/2025

This year took us to so many communities, events, and conversations — all centered around creating better housing pathways for people with disabilities.

Here’s a look back at some of the wonderful people we’ve met and the places we’ve been in 2025.

Thank you to everyone who welcomed us, shared their stories, and partnered with us along the way. 💜

18/12/2025

Finding an accessible home shouldn’t feel impossible.
If you or someone you love has a disability and you're struggling to secure the right housing — wrong location, funding barriers, or being asked to live with strangers — you’re not alone.

There are other pathways.
Owning or building your own SDA home might be more achievable than you think.

If you’ve ever wondered whether home ownership could be part of your plan, our team is here to walk you through your options.
📞 1300 974 912
📧 admin@empoweredliveability.com.au

Everyone deserves a home that truly fits their life. 💜

17/12/2025

Our team will be taking a short Christmas break so we can return refreshed for an even bigger 2026.

We’ll be closed from 5 PM, 23rd December and back on deck 9 AM, 5th January, 2026.
For anything urgent, our contact details are listed below.

📞 For Tenancy concerns please call 1300 974 912.
📞 for Maintenance concerns please call Joseph at 0452 238 490.

Wishing everyone a safe, joyful, and peaceful holiday season. 💜✨

16/12/2025

Enjoying some holiday downtime? Here’s a great conversation to tune into. 🎧

Earlier this year, Goro Gupta and Nicole Doherty joined the Disability Housing Solutions Podcast — and they had so much to share that it became a two-part special.

They dive into what’s next for SDA, why collaboration matters, and how we can keep building homes that genuinely change lives.

🎧 Listen here:
Part 1 → https://empoweredliveability.com.au/the-dhs-difference-episode-27-empowered-liveability-part-1-of-2/

Part 2 → https://empoweredliveability.com.au/the-dhs-difference-empowered-liveability-part-2-of-2/

15/12/2025

The entire Empowered Liveability team sends our love to the people of Bondi, the families caught in the events of last night and to the wider community who have been left to make sense of it all.

May those affected find peace, strength and comfort.