Increase In Disabled People On Waiting Lists

The number of disabled people on council housing waiting lists has increased by 17.3% in the last five years, research by charity Leonard Cheshire Disability has revealed. The charity found that one in seven people – 13.7% – on housing waiting lists in England are disabled, up from one in 11 people – 9.2% – five years ago. In contrast, the charity found that the number of people on waiting lists overall has decreased by 21% in the same period. Many councils in recent years have taken advantage of flexibilities in the Localism Act to restrict waiting list eligibility. Read more on the Leonard Cheshire website.

The Long Wait for a Home — Councils Are Failing Disabled People

Leonard Cheshire Disability has published new research into the long wait that many disabled people face when they desperately need adaptations to their homes. The report, The Long Wait for a Home, reveals that, shockingly, these delays are the result of breaches in the law by local councils. Last year, two councils in three (62%) failed to pay for agreed adaptations at least once within the one-year time limit set out in the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996. Download a copy of the report from the Leonard Cheshire Disability website.

300,000 Disabled People Waiting For Housing Living In Unsuitable Homes

About 300,000 disabled people are stuck on housing waiting lists across the UK, forced to make do in accommodation that does not meet their needs, according to a report.  In No Place Like Home  Leonard Cheshire Disability accused the government and housing developers of failing disabled people. The charity wants the government to make housing developers build all new homes so they are easy to adapt (so-called “lifetime homes”) if a resident was to become disabled, and for 10% of large developments to be fully wheelchair accessible so that disabled people can live independently and pursue job opportunities across the country. Download the report from the Leonard Cheshire Disability website.

Disabled People in Britain Face a Hidden Housing Crisis

Disabled people are experiencing a hidden housing crisis, says a new report suggesting that many are having to wash in their kitchens and sleep in their living rooms because their homes are ill-designed for their needs. The charity Leonard Cheshire Disability claims that as many as five million people now need a disabled-friendly home, a number set to rise as the population ages. A survey for the charity's Home Truths campaign finds that almost three-quarters of people with mobility problems do not have an accessible door into their building. More than half say their buildings do not have doors and hallways wide enough for a wheelchair. Download the report from the Leonard Cheshire Disability website.