Housing for Disabled People

This Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman practical guide for housing officers highlights issues that Disabled people face when accessing homelessness support services, and the changes local councils can make to improve those services.

Issues covered by real-life case studies in the report include the national shortage of adapted and adaptable housing, poor quality assessments of need, delays in completing suitability reviews, the provision of aids and adaptations in interim and temporary accommodation, and working closely with other departments and local authorities.

The report offers key learning points, including:

• Assessing need thoroughly and accurately
• Completing reviews on time and telling people about their appeal rights
• Considering steps to make accommodation more suitable for the Disabled person, including aids and adaptations
• Communicating effectively with applicants and other councils

The report follows a hard-hitting report from The Housing Ombudsman on severe maladministration on adaptation earlier this year.