大象传媒

A North East Lincolnshire woman says some disabled people are 鈥榚xisting鈥� and 鈥榥ot living鈥� because of a lack of accessible social housing which suits their needs.

Julie Pilsworth, from Grimsby, is registered blind, has a guide dog and uses a mobility chair. She says: 鈥淚鈥檝e been waiting such a long time for accessible housing, it鈥檚 such a long wait, you go through so many hurdles.鈥�

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says: 鈥淗ousing is one of the government鈥檚 top priorities. Everyone deserves to live in a decent, accessible home they feel safe in.鈥�

After many years waiting for a suitable property, Ms Pilsworth has described her new accessible rented home as 鈥渓ife changing鈥�. She says she鈥檚 now able to access rooms that she couldn鈥檛 before such as a wet room with adaptions saying 鈥淏efore, I couldn鈥檛 have showers for over five years.鈥� She adds: 鈥淚 can use the kitchen because it has lowered worktops that have adjustable heights.鈥�

The Government says the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out that local authorities should assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including older people and people with disabilities, and reflect this in their local plan.

But Ms Pilsworth says she would like know what more the Government can do to help local authorities provide more accessible social housing.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government adds: 鈥淲e will set out our policies on accessible new build housing shortly.鈥�

Listen to Julie Pilsworth's interview with 大象传媒 Political Reporter Sarah Sanderson in full here.

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