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Position Statement on Housing

Introduction

Finding housing that meets their specific needs is of a major difficulty for many people with disabilities. Among other things this requires a home to be functionally usable by the person with a disability, with neighbours that are visitable and potential housing options always adaptable to modification to meet individual needs.

Defining the Issue

Equity in housing options means much more than having a home that is affordable and in an environment of your choice. It is about rights and it is about opportunities.

The provision of equitable housing options requires recognising and facilitating:

• accessible homes that functionally meets the requirements for access to all parts of their living environment;
• visitable housing, access to neighbours' houses being central to a feeling of belonging in the community;
• adaptable housing, where all new homes/ accommodation can be adapted without considerable cost to meet the access needs of people with disabilities;
• amending legislation impacting on housing supply, structure, ownership and tenancy to address the need of people with disabilities for accessible, affordable housing;
• planning and creating a society where all newly constructed dwellings are adaptable to the access needs of people with disabilities;
• the modification of existing buildings to meet the access needs of people with disabilities.

Description of Issues

Despite the significant positive changes in public policy and funding, people with disabilities continue to face barriers that deny them the opportunity to meaningfully live and participate in their community. Difficulty in finding housing that can be adapted to meet access needs is a significant deterrent to feeling part of the community.

Living in a chosen home environment

Housing and accommodation options are restricted for many people with disabilities. Issues are different in metropolitan, regional and rural areas however the main problems crossing all boundaries include the shortage of stock, the cost of modifications, the lack of commitment by government to address the issue, and a lack of awareness in the community of its obligation to provide an accessible environment for all.

The Shortage of Housing Stock

Whether sought for rental or purchase there is a shortage of accessible housing and to a lesser degree a shortage of adaptable housing options.

The cost of modifying dwellings, currently resting with the owner, significantly increases the cost of disability when the owner is a person with a disability, and provides an added hurdle to renting in the community, owners being unwilling to modify dwellings for tenants with disabilities.

The Need for Government input

Government has an obligation to develop communities accessible to all and needs to address the dearth of accessible or adaptable public housing stock. Planning for a future where housing is available and equally useable by all is a Government obligation to all in the community. Both the new and existing housing stock needs to be equally accessible to all and modification to existing premises should therefore be considered a social; obligation of Government.

Community Obligations

All in the community should be provided equal opportunity to rent or buy in the area of choice and choices need to be equally available to all. All new constructions therefore need to consider the range of potential buyers and tenants in terms of the need for access and adaptation.

Position Statement

Government and the private sector both have obligations to ensure housing options are equally available and accessible to all and no added disability related costs are borne an individual.

Target benchmark/sign of success

• Government reviews, amends all legislation impacting on housing supply, structure, ownership or tenancy to ensure it addresses the access needs of people with disabilities
• Government and major stakeholders from the private sector work together to increase accessible housing stock
• Government provides incentives to the private sector to modify new and existing housing to meet access needs
• Data is developed on the unmet need for accessible housing and improvements monitored.

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