West Country landlords launch new system to help match disabled people with accessible social housing

Housing association Gloucester City Homes will launch the system later this year, followed by Stroud District Council, Cheltenham Borough Homes, Two Rivers and the Guinness Partnership.

Kate Usmar, cabinet member for adults’ support and independence at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “We are committed to supporting people with care and support needs to live safely in their own homes for as long as possible.

“We know that the right adaptations can promote independence, reduce falls, improve well-being and prevent the need for long-term care.

“The Accessible Housing Register is a fantastic resource that will help people with disabilities choose a home which meets their needs, and I would like to thank all members of the partnership who have worked together to make it possible.”

This new scheme comes after a number of reports over the past 12 months raised concerns about how councils allocate and assess need for accessible housing.

Research from earlier this year found that 24 out of 33 London boroughs do not have plans for homes that are affordable and accessible

Mary Morgan, programme director for housing, health and care at NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, said she was “incredibly excited” to introduce the system. 

She described the register as “a key milestone” in inclusivity efforts. “This will make it easier for people living with disabilities to find homes that provide the support they need to live safely and comfortably,” said Ms Morgan.

“We are extremely grateful to the housing providers who have joined the initiative, as well as our partners across housing, health and social care. This is a true reflection of what can be achieved when we work together to meet the needs of our community.”

Guy Stenson, chief executive of Gloucester City Homes, said: “People with disabilities find bidding for suitable properties challenging because the information on access they require is not available. 

“The AHR is going to make things much more straightforward for customers. It will also help us better predict the future need for accessible housing.” 

The scheme comes after a 2024 cross-party report concluded that disabled people are being failed by the government’s housing policy and are living in unsuitable homes “for years without hope”.

Evidence from disabled people shared with the MPs included being “completely housebound” for long periods due to the inaccessibility of their homes; decades-long waiting lists for accessible social homes; significantly higher asking prices for accessible homes for sale; and some landlords denying permission for adaptations to make homes accessible.