A study has revealed that housing in London continues to be unaffordable, unsafe, and hard to reach for deaf and disabled individuals.
The research was conducted by Inclusion London, an organization advocating for deaf and disabled communities.
One participant, Abbi Brown, who relies on a wheelchair, noted that while her apartment is mostly accessible, she faces challenges accessing her garden due to an “enormous and very difficult step.”
City Hall announced that Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, has allocated £100 million to increase the availability of accessible homes for disabled residents.
The findings indicated that one in four individuals with accessibility needs were unable to safely and easily utilize essential facilities such as kitchens, bathrooms, and entrances.
Furthermore, it was found that only 3% of new housing constructed in London is visitable for individuals with mobility impairments.
Almost two-thirds of the respondents reported having to cut back on food and other necessities in order to afford housing.
Ms. Brown shared that the modifications made in her home—such as widening doorways for wheelchair access and adjusting socket heights—”significantly enhance my daily life.”
However, she pointed out that her residence still does not offer full accessibility, and many adapted homes face similar issues, particularly concerning access to her garden.
Ms. Brown had to wait for the right home to become available in the capital, forcing her to live in a place that was less accommodating to her needs. She recounted being trapped in her previous flat in Bethnal Green for days after a lift malfunction, feeling as though she was blamed for the situation.
“Housing isn’t just a standalone issue; it must be viewed in relation to transport, streets, and public infrastructure,” she stated.
“I find myself unable to enter around 90% of the shops and restaurants nearby. If you can’t navigate the streets or access the Tube station, then having an accessible home becomes irrelevant—it ends up being a lovely prison.”
Local and national leaders are being called upon to collaborate in the construction of more accessible homes, particularly those intended for social rent.
According to Tracey Lazard, the CEO of Inclusion London, the alarmingly low proportion of accessible new homes being constructed in the capital is “shocking” and effectively condemns disabled individuals to lives of significant hardship.
She emphasized, “Discussions around future-proofing and resilience must include the construction of homes that people can inhabit throughout their entire lives.”
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London commented, “The mayor is dedicated to addressing the diverse housing requirements of London’s populace and has committed over £100 million towards creating well-designed, supportive housing that allows disabled residents to live independently and access necessary care.
Additionally, the mayor mandates a minimum percentage of accessible and adaptable units in all new housing projects funded through his Affordable Homes Programme, aiming to create a fairer and better London for all.”
