One in four disabled Londoners with access requirements live in completely inaccessible homes

Inclusion London has uncovered the grim reality of inaccessible and unaffordable housing in London in its latest report.

The ‘Barriers at Home’ report found that communities are facing inaccessible homes, with one in four respondents who have housing access requirements living in completely inaccessible homes, meaning they cannot safely and easily use basic facilities like kitchens, bathrooms, and entry ways.

Although London sets higher accessibility standards for new homes compared to other regions in England, the higher standards are rarely met and compliance has fallen dramatically over the last seven years, the report notes. Compared to 2018, twice fewer adaptable and accessible homes are being built.

In the research, deaf and disabled people told the charity: “I don’t think I ever lived in a house that has met my access needs.”

Only three percent of London homes are classed as ‘visitable’ by those with mobility impairments, compared to nine percent across England, according to research.

Also, one in three respondents who have mobility impairments stated that they do not have level access to their home.

Accessibility barriers are not limited to physical layout and level access. Things like lighting, noise, temperature control, as well as access to facilities and services outside the home are equally important.

Although 31 percent of disabled Londoners live in social housing, compared to 10 percent of non-disabled residents, there are over 23,000 Londoners waiting for social housing for medical or welfare reasons.

Social housing is vital for disabled people, because it is more secure than private housing and rent is regulated. The private renting respondents were worried about being priced out of their home or being evicted if they asked for adaptations.

Disabled people are often priced out of the few accessible homes available, with 24 out of 33 London boroughs having made no plans for affordable accessible homes.

Nearly two in three respondents said they had made cutbacks to afford housing. One in three had cut back on food and/or other essentials, and one in three had cut back on gas and electricity.

A contributor also told the charity: “I just want to have an accessible home and an accessible environment. You know, my body is wearing out quicker than most people’s. And it’s wearing out even quicker having to interact with environments that don’t suit me.”

The report further found that local authorities do not know what accessible housing they have and do not have good evidence of existing and future needs for accessible homes. Only two London boroughs were able to provide Inclusion London with a full breakdown of accessibility in new builds.

The Housing Ombudsman has released its latest ‘Learning from severe maladministration’ report, focusing on home adaptations and landlords’ response to mental and physical health needs.