As of March,48 participants had sought an external review with the tribunal. Ninety-two per cent of the 12 who had already reached an outcome received the funding they had initially requested.

“This indicates that decision-makers – whether the National Disability Insurance Agency’s lawyers offering settlements or the independent tribunal members – are ultimately finding that participants’ requests are reasonable,” says the report by the Housing Hub and Public Interest Advocacy Centre.

“It also raises questions as to why National Disability Insurance Agency internal processes do not reach the same conclusions.”

A spokesperson for the agency said it was committed to ensuring that specialist disability accommodation decisions were made in a timely,consistent and accurate way.

“Only a small number of NDIS participants are expected to be assessed as eligible for specialist disability accommodation with state and territory governments responsible for broader public and social housing.”

The spokesperson said it was incorrect to say making a decision on housing supports – from the time the agency was in receipt of all required information – was taking months.

“The circumstances of many participants is complex,particularly those involving housing requests,and the necessary information can take some time to gather. If a participant is unhappy with the outcome,the National Disability Insurance Agency fully respects their right to have that decision reviewed.”

Administrative Appeals Tribunal acting registrar Jamie Crew told Senate estimates in February there had been a 400 per cent increase in complaints about NDIS plans in the last six months of 2021 compared with the same period in 2020.

“People with a disability shouldn’t have to be willing to fight for years or get a high-price lawyer just to get the housing they need and are entitled to,” said acting general manager of the Housing Hub,Joanne Mear.

“We know that many people simply give up hope through these long drawn out processes.”

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre and the Housing Hub are two of 150 organisations backing the “Down to 10 days” campaign,which is calling on the agency to make faster,more accurate decisions on housing for NDIS participants.

Brookhouse’s mother Sofie Mont said the two-year battle had taken a toll on the whole family.

She said the stress of the case meant she had to stop working and is now going to have to sell her house.

“I think the frustrating part about it is that it has caused immense amounts of stress amongst the whole family,” she said. “We have been through quite a rigmarole with the whole thing.”

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