charity john grooms has warned that three-quarters of local authorities have not assessed the housing needs of disabled people, despite continuing problems finding suitable accommodation.

The comments were made by David Harmer, chief executive of the disability charity, as it unveiled a report on the issue on Tuesday.

The study found that up to 47% of wheelchair users say their housing is inadequate.

Up to 8.5 million adults in the UK are disabled, but only 22,000 have places in care homes. Of these, 8000 are in homes designed for different needs. Many young disabled people are placed in old people's homes due to lack of other places.

Two-thirds of people who become disabled have to wait more than three years for housing.

Harmer said: "When we open a new development we're over-subscribed four or five times. Despite this, many local authorities have no idea what the need is in their area. They need to deal with it."

The report's publication coincided with a call by Aberdeen South MP Anne Begg for an early-day motion asking the government to place greater emphasis on disability issues.

Source

Housing Today