The Mayor of London has been alerted to a “chronic” deficit in accessible housing, leaving disabled residents in a precarious situation.

Zoe Garbett, chair of the London Assembly Housing Committee, has reached out to Sir Sadiq Khan following an inquiry into the availability of accessible housing.

Ms. Garbett, a Green Party member of the Assembly, noted that the scarcity of buildings either designed or modified for individuals with access needs has resulted in “deeply distressing” living conditions for many.

A representative for the Mayor stated: “The Mayor is dedicated to making sure that all Londoners can afford housing and have true options available for the city’s diverse community.”

As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Ms. Garbett highlighted “stark and compelling” evidence from stakeholders, including the plight of one resident who was unable to wash independently due to being placed in temporary accommodation lacking an accessible bathroom.

Another individual had to wait for assistance from their partner to be carried up two flights of stairs, which they could not navigate on their own.

Laura Vicinanza from the disability charity Inclusion London expressed: “The number of individuals we interviewed suffering from stress, anxiety, and depression, some even requiring hospitalization, is simply outrageous.”

Hallie Banish from the independent living organization Ruils emphasized the urgency, stating, “This situation is a housing crisis.”

“Everyone deserves safe, accessible, and affordable housing, and it’s essential that the Mayor fulfills his responsibility to ensure this fundamental standard is achieved.”

In her letter, Ms. Garbett elaborated: “The ramifications of inadequate housing are extensive.”

“It often forces individuals to depend on family members or caregivers for even their most basic needs, causing significant physical, mental, and emotional strain.”

She affirmed that disabled Londoners deserve improved conditions, emphasizing their right to live in homes tailored to their needs, which would afford them dignity and autonomy.

Even where accessible housing does exist, Ms. Garbett noted that the process of finding such homes can be “complex and challenging.”

She proposed that the “clear solution” lies in constructing more accessible residences and modifying existing ones, but a lack of data due to ineffective monitoring of developer compliance makes prompt action “nearly impossible.”

Other suggestions included increasing the proportion of homes built to wheelchair-accessible standards and holding developers accountable for non-compliance.

The London Plan, established in 2021, mandates that 90% of new homes be adaptable for those with accessibility requirements; however, only 23% of new builds last year met this criterion, according to LDRS.

A spokesperson for the Mayor added: “Years of inadequate funding from the previous government, alongside low economic growth, high interest rates, and soaring construction costs have hindered our ability to create urgently needed housing – and Londoners are facing the repercussions.”

“The current London Plan stipulates that 10% of new homes must be wheelchair accessible or adaptable, and a recent consultation aimed at shaping the next Plan welcomed input on how to expand housing possibilities for disabled Londoners.”