Disabled people are hit hard by the housing crisis, and we won’t put up with it anymore. There is nowhere near enough accessible housing in Greater Manchester, and housing for wheelchair users is particularly hard to find. We are campaigning with other DPOs for at least 10% of all new houses to be livable homes for wheelchair users. Our friends at Manchester Disabled People’s Access Group (MDPAG) have written a letter to MPs telling them our demands, and we are asking members to use this template [make link] to make their voice heard.
Last year, the government agreed that all newly built housing should be adaptable for disabled people after they move in. This was a big win for DPOs, but it’s not good enough. Without houses and flats that are ready to wheelchair users to move into now, more of us will be homeless, unable to move for work, or stuck living in unbearable situations. We know that for disabled women and queer people, a lack of adapted housing raises the risk of being a victim of violence within a family home. We need this housing now – not when a landlord decides to make the adaptations.
The new government is looking again at the rules around housebuilding, so we’re telling them we won’t accept being second class citizens. Please email the letter below to your local MP (you can find them here) to make your voice heard. If they get back to you, please forward their response to [email protected].