Housing issue - discrimination?

eh1986
eh1986 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
in Housing and independent living
Hi there, i'm new here and hoping to get some advice for a family friend. His story is complex, but i'll try and summarise below:
  • He had an accident 9 years ago - someone spiked his drink and he fell 30ft down some stairs - he is now in a wheelchair 24/7
  • He recently had another accident where a reckless driver drove into him on his mobility scooter and wrote that off - luckily he only received minor injuries.
  • He was allocated a council property about 8 years ago - the council still have not adapted it, so he is unable to use the kitchen, doorways are too narrow so he gets crush injuries, the toilet is difficult to get onto - an accident waiting to happen.  The building is subsiding, and has fractured the sewer pipes - the sewer gas has killed his dog and has caused him many health issues.  He has no bed as it was put into storage for the council to fix the undulating floor caused by the subsidence.  This was in 2017 and still not done. He is unable to reside there, and has been in a tent in the local area, next to a disabled toilet for 130 days.
  • He has been emailing and having meetings with the council for so long.  The council are so dismissive of his basic needs, any property they offer him is not suitable for his needs and they won't listen to his reasons.
  • The council are going against the NHS Occupational therapy report produced for him to show what his needs are.
  • The council are making it out as if he is the problem and that he is being difficult.
  • The council are now pretty much ignoring him and won't get into any discussion about his difficulties.
  • He asked if he could demonstrate how he does things in his wheelchair, and show some pictures/videos of his issues - they said they didn't want to see them.
  • He asked them to let him know how he can therefore complete normal daily tasks and perhaps they could demonstrate - they declined. 
  • He is going around in circles, with no traction at all.
  • How can they be so dismissive of his basic needs as a 24/7 wheelchair user?
  • On Friday, after another meeting where he highlighted their behaviour and they were pretty mad about it - they got him arrested for stalking!! He hasn't stalked anyone, he has just sent lots of emails and had lots of meetings to try and fix his property issues. 
What can he do?? Can anyone advise the best course of action here? Myself and my family are trying our hardest to help and advise him, but we aren't really sure what to do now. 

Comments

  • eh1986
    eh1986 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    I missed one point out! He was recently offered emergency housing at a local hostel.  It had no adaptations so he could not use the toilet or shower, and would have to travel 2 miles - hand propelled - to the nearest accessible public toilet.  The council thought this was acceptable, and thought he was being difficult by not using it. 
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    Hi and welcome to the community 

    I would suggest contacting shelter or cab to see if they can offer any support 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,464 Championing
    Welcome to the community @eh1986 :) 

    Thank you for joining, and for telling us about your family friend's situation. I can imagine this must be distressing for you all. It sounds like you're a really supporting friend, though, which is fantastic to see. 

    I've sent you an email from community@scope.org.uk about this, so please do keep an eye out for that.

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