Habinteg tenant Jackie regains independence thanks to new accessible flat | Tenant news

Habinteg tenant Jackie Willson has her independence back thanks to her new wheelchair accessible flat at our Lawson Court scheme in Walsall. 

“The best thing about our new home, is that I’ve got the freedom to get out and about easily, and I’ve got my kitchen back so I can cook my own meals,” Jackie said.

Jackie, aged 60, moved into her new home with her husband David, 63, and their 28 year old son Chris, in November 2024.

No-fault eviction

Prior to her Habinteg home, Jackie and her family had been made homeless and had been living in cramped, temporary bed and breakfast accommodation for 50 days.

Jackie found the space challenging as she has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has difficulty walking without a mobility aid, so she uses a mobility scooter to get around.

She struggled to get in and out of the bed-and-breakfast with her scooter due to the building’s narrow corridors. She was continually banging her elbows and knees on the walls, and, during that time, Jackie developed lymphoedema in one of her legs.

The Willson family were served the Section 21 eviction notice, also known as a no-fault eviction, to leave their privately rented home in Walsall in December 2023.

The local council couldn’t offer housing support until their eviction date in August 2024, so they advised the family to stay put until then.

Cramped temporary housing

Following their eviction, the family were allocated a home at Lawson Court which was still being built. The council placed them in a bed-and-breakfast in Birmingham while they waited for the development to be completed.

Due to a lack of space, the family of three had to share one room and they couldn’t access the communal kitchen as it was usually occupied by another family.

“We either had to cook our meals in a microwave in the room or buy convenience food. We were living off packet sandwiches,” Jackie said.

Jackie said the family got through the ordeal because they knew they were going to move into a new home at Lawson Court.

Accessible, spacious living

The Willson’s home is one of six wheelchair accessible homes developed by Habinteg at Lawson Court, which also has 12 flats designed to an adaptable standard.

“It’s a perfect little flat, we love it. It’s warm and the windows shut properly, unlike our old place,” Jackie said.

The accessible features of Jackie’s new home, such as the wet room and the level approach to Lawson Court’s entrance, have also had a positive impact.

“The wet room shower is great… I can just go in and have a shower. There’s none of the difficulty of climbing in and out a bath to get to the shower, like I had to do before.

“And going out of the front entrance is easy because it’s all on one level. In our old home, we had to bring my scooter down a set of steps to exit the property.”

Boosting independence

Christina McGill, Director of Social Impact and External Affairs at Habinteg, said: “We’re really delighted to hear about the difference that her new home has made to Jackie and her family.

“For the disabled people that need them, wheelchair accessible homes are vital for supporting health and wellbeing and make a huge difference to independence. This is obviously great for the individual and their loved ones but also often means far less reliance on health and social care services which is good news for public spending.

“We’re very pleased to have been able to provide six new wheelchair accessible homes in Walsall. Disabling conditions can arise in anyone’s life at any time and everyone should have a home that meets their needs, so we’d like to see many more wheelchair accessible homes built across the country in both social housing and properties for private rent and sale.

We wish Jackie and her family every happiness in their new home.”

Image: top; Jackie Willson, centre.