Ken Livingstone yesterday launched two reports aimed to help increase the supply and choice of accessible homes available to disabled and Deaf Londoners.
The launch took place at a City Hall conference entitled ‘Housing choice for disabled Londoners’ attended by local authorities and leading London house builders, developers, housing associations, and organisations for disabled people.
The first report – ‘Wheelchair accessible housing’ – provides best practice guidance for planners and developers on designing wheelchair accessible homes as well as how to design new homes that are easily and cheaply adapted for the future needs of a wheelchair user
The second report – ‘Housing choice for disabled Londoners’ – sets out what must be done by social landlords and other stakeholders to deliver London’s Accessible Housing Register to ensure that disabled and Deaf Londoners have information, access to and greater choice in housing that meets their specific needs.
Mr Livingstone said “the severe shortage of accessible homes in the capital means that disabled Londoners are twice as likely to be living in unsuitable homes which is an appalling inequality we must address.”
“Both reports support the practical delivery of my Housing Strategy and commitment to ensure that disabled Londoners have greater choice and access to homes that are suitable for them to lead independent lives.”
