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| 'Nightmare' rental shortage for the disabled, EHRC finds | 'Nightmare' rental shortage for the disabled, EHRC finds |
| (3 days later) | |
| The dire shortage of private rental properties suitable for disabled people has been exposed by a new report. | The dire shortage of private rental properties suitable for disabled people has been exposed by a new report. |
| The Equalities and Human Rights Commission said 93% of 8.5 million rental properties in the UK were not accessible to the disabled. | The Equalities and Human Rights Commission said 93% of 8.5 million rental properties in the UK were not accessible to the disabled. |
| It called on ministers to take action to improve housing accessibility. | It called on ministers to take action to improve housing accessibility. |
| The government said it was providing councils with almost £1bn over the next two years to adapt properties for disabled people. | The government said it was providing councils with almost £1bn over the next two years to adapt properties for disabled people. |
| "We expect landlords to adapt properties for tenants. We are clear they must not unreasonably withhold consent if they are asked to make changes to homes," a Department of Housing, Communities & Local Government spokesman said. | "We expect landlords to adapt properties for tenants. We are clear they must not unreasonably withhold consent if they are asked to make changes to homes," a Department of Housing, Communities & Local Government spokesman said. |
| The EHRC said its 18-month review found 365,000 disabled people were in homes unsuitable for their needs. | The EHRC said its 18-month review found 365,000 disabled people were in homes unsuitable for their needs. |
| "Accommodation for disabled people in this country is not acceptable," said David Isaac, chairman of the commission. | "Accommodation for disabled people in this country is not acceptable," said David Isaac, chairman of the commission. |
| "The lack of accessible housing stops disabled people from being able to live independently." | "The lack of accessible housing stops disabled people from being able to live independently." |
| Neil Heslop, chief executive of the Leonard Cheshire disability charity, said the report was a "shocking indictment of how disabled people have largely been forgotten in the housing priorities of local and national government". | Neil Heslop, chief executive of the Leonard Cheshire disability charity, said the report was a "shocking indictment of how disabled people have largely been forgotten in the housing priorities of local and national government". |
| 'Something of a nightmare' | 'Something of a nightmare' |
| By BBC news reporter Ellis Palmer | By BBC news reporter Ellis Palmer |
| It's difficult enough trying to find somewhere to live when you're able-bodied; it can be something of a nightmare when you have a disability. | It's difficult enough trying to find somewhere to live when you're able-bodied; it can be something of a nightmare when you have a disability. |
| I recently visited seven estate agents in Derby, where I have family, to try to find a property I could move into without having to make any adaptations. | I recently visited seven estate agents in Derby, where I have family, to try to find a property I could move into without having to make any adaptations. |
| Despite looking at hundreds of listings, no accessible properties were available to rent on the private market in the city. | Despite looking at hundreds of listings, no accessible properties were available to rent on the private market in the city. |
| Even getting in and out of the estate agents' shops was rather difficult. Five of the seven I visited had significant steps up, meaning I was not able to get in independently. | Even getting in and out of the estate agents' shops was rather difficult. Five of the seven I visited had significant steps up, meaning I was not able to get in independently. |
| Finding somewhere to live independently as a wheelchair user is extremely difficult. In my case, all I need is a wet room bathroom to be able to shower myself. | Finding somewhere to live independently as a wheelchair user is extremely difficult. In my case, all I need is a wet room bathroom to be able to shower myself. |
| Many young people, with or without disabilities, face an uncertain economic climate due to short-term contracts, meaning that buying somewhere with a mortgage on the private market just isn't possible. | Many young people, with or without disabilities, face an uncertain economic climate due to short-term contracts, meaning that buying somewhere with a mortgage on the private market just isn't possible. |
| Additionally, for disabled people, only 7% of homes in England offer minimal accessibility features. | Additionally, for disabled people, only 7% of homes in England offer minimal accessibility features. |
| Theoretically, newer properties are much more likely to be easily accessible, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will be ready for me to move into independently. | Theoretically, newer properties are much more likely to be easily accessible, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will be ready for me to move into independently. |
| Many of the flats I've looked around in the past few years don't even have that - many still have baths or showers with steps up. | Many of the flats I've looked around in the past few years don't even have that - many still have baths or showers with steps up. |
| The EHRC report said many local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales have not collected data or planned for the future, even though the number of disabled people is increasing. | The EHRC report said many local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales have not collected data or planned for the future, even though the number of disabled people is increasing. |
| It found that councils are only requiring about four in ten new homes to be accessible and adaptable, while just 5% required developers to construct wheelchair-accessible housing, which might include step-free bathrooms. | It found that councils are only requiring about four in ten new homes to be accessible and adaptable, while just 5% required developers to construct wheelchair-accessible housing, which might include step-free bathrooms. |
| Just seven councils authorities have taken either formal or informal action against a developer who did not deliver the required number of accessible and/or adaptable properties, it found. | Just seven councils authorities have taken either formal or informal action against a developer who did not deliver the required number of accessible and/or adaptable properties, it found. |
| The Equality Act (2010) says that changes or adjustments should be made to ensure someone with a disability has access to housing and that the individual should not have to pay. | The Equality Act (2010) says that changes or adjustments should be made to ensure someone with a disability has access to housing and that the individual should not have to pay. |
| But adjustments only have to be made if it is reasonable and there is only a duty to do so if not doing so places the disabled person at a substantial disadvantage. | But adjustments only have to be made if it is reasonable and there is only a duty to do so if not doing so places the disabled person at a substantial disadvantage. |