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I spoke to young #wheelchair users about how the UK's "hidden crisis" of #inaccessible housing makes renting an almighty challenge
Welcome to a maze of estate agent/landlord confusion, soaring extra costs, adaptation battles & mental health pressures
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
Welcome to a maze of estate agent/landlord confusion, soaring extra costs, adaptation battles & mental health pressures
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
There's no UK-wide commitment to building liveable wheelchair accessible properties as standard
New @bbcthree series #RentLikeABoss looks to help Emma - one of 400,000 wheelchair users in England alone living in unsuitable accommodation ( @Habinteg)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
New @bbcthree series #RentLikeABoss looks to help Emma - one of 400,000 wheelchair users in England alone living in unsuitable accommodation ( @Habinteg)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
The lack of provision means many wheelchair users have to make-do/adapt properties
"Being disabled means double the rent, double the bills, with little to no support for working disabled adults to cover these extra costs" - @MillieeHawes
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
"Being disabled means double the rent, double the bills, with little to no support for working disabled adults to cover these extra costs" - @MillieeHawes
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
The Disabled Facilities Grant offers financial support, but it has to be agreed to by the landlord, and the tenant must intend to live at the property for five years
]t's also means-tested, meaning many wheelchair users face sizeable extra costs
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
![The Disabled Facilities Grant offers financial support, but it has to be agreed to by the landlord, and the tenant must intend to live at the property for five years]t's also means-tested, meaning many wheelchair users face sizeable extra costs https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkoR6_eWkAIzZAU.png "The Disabled Facilities Grant offers financial support, but it has to be agreed to by the landlord, and the tenant must intend to live at the property for five years]t's also means-tested, meaning many wheelchair users face sizeable extra costs https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031")
]t's also means-tested, meaning many wheelchair users face sizeable extra costs
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
The Equality Act 2010 gives wheelchair users the right to make adaptations to their homes so long as they are âreasonableâ.
In reality, this leaves the door open for landlords to fight changes and refuse adaptations... https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
In reality, this leaves the door open for landlords to fight changes and refuse adaptations... https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
....as they're not required to make structural changes to your property, or âcommon partsâ of a block of flats
"I feel forced into not getting the right adaptations...unless it's your forever home. What 20-something lives in those?" - @MillieeHawes https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
"I feel forced into not getting the right adaptations...unless it's your forever home. What 20-something lives in those?" - @MillieeHawes https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
. @mhclg say since 2012, the DFG has provided over ÂŁ3.2 billion to deliver around 280,000 home adaptationsÂ
âWe expect landlords to adapt properties for tenants â they must not unreasonably withhold consent if theyâre asked to make changes to homesâ    https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
âWe expect landlords to adapt properties for tenants â they must not unreasonably withhold consent if theyâre asked to make changes to homesâ    https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
But the strain isn't just financial. The extra pressures can have a huge impact on mental health
For @AbbiBrown92, the accessibility struggles have made her feel "a huge burden"
âMy flatmates are really nice about it but it makes me feel so guiltyâ
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
For @AbbiBrown92, the accessibility struggles have made her feel "a huge burden"
âMy flatmates are really nice about it but it makes me feel so guiltyâ
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
And then there's the impact on professional life
"I know so many bright young, disabled graduates who limited their job search post-uni to areas where they knew they could live, rather than applying for the job they wantedâ - @AbbiBrown92 https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
"I know so many bright young, disabled graduates who limited their job search post-uni to areas where they knew they could live, rather than applying for the job they wantedâ - @AbbiBrown92 https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
. @scope says "something desperately needs to change. Government and local authorities need to step up and ensure affordable and appropriate housing is available to everyoneâ   https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
So where next?
Accessible housing associations are calling for London's provision, where since 2004 10% of new builds have needed to be wheelchair accessible or adaptable, to become a national standard applied by all local councils https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
Accessible housing associations are calling for London's provision, where since 2004 10% of new builds have needed to be wheelchair accessible or adaptable, to become a national standard applied by all local councils https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
A number of charity initiatives are also in place
@abodeimpact is working to provide accessible private rents in London
@Aspireâs Housing Programme offers 58 properties around the UK for spinal injured people to live in whilst they find a permanent home https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
@abodeimpact is working to provide accessible private rents in London
@Aspireâs Housing Programme offers 58 properties around the UK for spinal injured people to live in whilst they find a permanent home https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
The @NRLAssociation is working with a number of groups - including @FoundationsHIA - to deliver clearer and more comprehensive guidelines on wheelchair accessibility for private rentals
Meanwhile, the govt have launched an open public consultation https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
Meanwhile, the govt have launched an open public consultation https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
. @Habinteg are producing an online accessible property directory to help wheelchair users navigate the help available
âWe have heard frequently how frustrating online research can be because there just isnât sufficient information about accessibility"Â https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
âWe have heard frequently how frustrating online research can be because there just isnât sufficient information about accessibility"Â https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d5291d81-12d7-4216-abff-b0f8800a8031
Final word to Emma: "As a renter with a job, I don't want to be thinking '[can I] move around my house safely' just because I'm in a wheelchair
"An accessible home makes me feel secure - I can focus on living my life"
Watch #RentLikeABoss @BBCiPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p08tj7zq/rent-like-a-boss-series-1-episode-4
"An accessible home makes me feel secure - I can focus on living my life"
Watch #RentLikeABoss @BBCiPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p08tj7zq/rent-like-a-boss-series-1-episode-4
