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Accessible housing platform bolsters search function for disabled users
Disabled and older people can find wheelchair user homes for rent more swiftly thanks to a strengthened search function on England’s dedicated accessible housing portal, Accessible NOW.
The site boasts key information that other property portals may not have, including accessibility features like wet rooms, step free entrances, parking, location, proximity to shops and transport links along with photos of key areas within the home.
Changing users' lives
The mother of a wheelchair user, who was able to find a 3 bed wheelchair accessible property through Accessible NOW, said: “Finding a fully wheelchair-adapted home has completely changed our lives, especially our daughter’s.
“For the first time, she can move around freely and live with the dignity and independence she deserves. The difference this has made is beyond words—simple everyday things that were once a struggle are now possible.”
Not for profit national housing mobility scheme Homefinder UK developed Accessible NOW in partnership with the leading social housing provider of accessible homes, Habinteg Housing Association, to help England’s disabled home seekers.
Trusted resource
English Housing Survey data shows that around 400,000 wheelchair users are living in homes that are neither designed for nor adapted to their needs, and only 9% of English homes have even the most basic accessibility features.
Christina McGill, Habinteg’s Director of Social Impact and External Affairs, said the portal could become a life-changing resource for disabled people.
The site boasts key information that other property portals may not have, including accessibility features like wet rooms, step free entrances, parking, location, proximity to shops and transport links along with photos of key areas within the home.
Changing users' lives
The mother of a wheelchair user, who was able to find a 3 bed wheelchair accessible property through Accessible NOW, said: “Finding a fully wheelchair-adapted home has completely changed our lives, especially our daughter’s.
“For the first time, she can move around freely and live with the dignity and independence she deserves. The difference this has made is beyond words—simple everyday things that were once a struggle are now possible.”
Not for profit national housing mobility scheme Homefinder UK developed Accessible NOW in partnership with the leading social housing provider of accessible homes, Habinteg Housing Association, to help England’s disabled home seekers.
Trusted resource
English Housing Survey data shows that around 400,000 wheelchair users are living in homes that are neither designed for nor adapted to their needs, and only 9% of English homes have even the most basic accessibility features.
Christina McGill, Habinteg’s Director of Social Impact and External Affairs, said the portal could become a life-changing resource for disabled people.
She added: “With over 1,300 housing associations in England, just think what we could achieve if they all market their accessible properties on the platform. Disabled and older people, and their families, would be able to find a suitable accessible home in one trusted resource.”
Open for registrations
The platform’s partners are urging disabled and older people, and families with disabled children, across England to register now.
Ninesh Muthiah CEO of Home Connections, the organisation that operates and manages Homefinder UK, said the latest work on the platform has focused on ensuring listings include the information a disabled person would find most useful.
He said: “Our aim is to bring social housing landlords with wheelchair users and accessible and adaptable homes together with the people that need them.
“In doing that, we hope to avoid the loss of such properties in the scenario where landlords can’t find wheelchair users and end up removing or ignoring the accessibility features to let the homes to people and families with general needs.”
People searching for an accessible home should register on Accessible NOW to express an interest and apply for a property at homefinderuk.org/accessible-now-channel .
Open for registrations
The platform’s partners are urging disabled and older people, and families with disabled children, across England to register now.
Ninesh Muthiah CEO of Home Connections, the organisation that operates and manages Homefinder UK, said the latest work on the platform has focused on ensuring listings include the information a disabled person would find most useful.
He said: “Our aim is to bring social housing landlords with wheelchair users and accessible and adaptable homes together with the people that need them.
“In doing that, we hope to avoid the loss of such properties in the scenario where landlords can’t find wheelchair users and end up removing or ignoring the accessibility features to let the homes to people and families with general needs.”
People searching for an accessible home should register on Accessible NOW to express an interest and apply for a property at homefinderuk.org/accessible-now-channel .
Habinteg Housing Association
Chapman House Unit 1
Adwalton Business Park
132 Wakefield Road
Drighlington
Bradford, BD11 1DR
T 0300 365 3100
E direct@habinteg.org.uk
