Unable to find accessible housing

erin98

Hi, my name is Erin. I have mental health issues and mobility related disabilities. I currently live in a large apartment block without a lift, so there's lots of stairs to get into my home. The bath is also an oval shape, therefore my occupational therapist was unable to fit a bath lift or even just a shower board. They can't fit a stair lift because the stairs are communal. The parking is very far away and I often can't get to my car if I'm having a flare up and it's too far to walk. I can't use my wheelchair indoors and have to store it in my motability car. I can't even use a rollator indoors because the hallways are too narrow.
I've been on the council register for over a year in band 2. Even when a property comes up, I'm so far down the list that I'll never be successful. The accessible properties are like gold dust though and I doubt I'll even find one. I've been keeping an eye on private too but I can't really afford it. I've even had to go off sick from work with stress because this whole situation is causing a massive deterioration of my mental health. It's a vicious cycle because the stress and depression means I'm off sick, therefore earning less, which means I can't afford better housing, which is making my mental health worse. I don't know what to do. I've tried speaking with my social worker but she doesn't take the situation seriously and says I should just wait patiently for a house that doesn't even exist. Does anyone know what I could do? I feel lost.

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

I am sorry to hear about your housing problems 

We come across this issue a lot on here 

I had to wait over a year to find something suitable and that was with help from my housing officer 

I was about to become homeless with a child so gave me priority 

Unfortunately nobody seems to show any interest if you have a roof over your head 

Would you be entitled to any benefits to help with housing costs 

I don't know what you can do to find a place accessible housing is in very short supply