Crisis in Accessible, Affordable Housing for Disabled Londoners
Inadequate supply of accessible housing overlooks London's disabled community
A significant shortage of accessible and affordable housing for disabled people in London is causing concern, with the London Assembly Housing Committee warning that the issue is fundamental to the capital's housing emergency.
Current State of Affairs
The London Plan, updated in 2021, aims for 90% of new homes to be adaptable for residents with accessibility needs, and 10% to be wheelchair accessible. However, recent data shows that only 23% of new build completions last year met these standards. In 2025, only 3% of new homes granted planning permission were suitable for older or disabled people.
Actions Being Taken
To address this shortage, the Greater London Authority (GLA) has initiated consultations to inform the development of the next London Plan, aiming to unlock more housing options for disabled Londoners. The London Assembly's Housing Committee has also investigated the issue and is urging the Mayor to take immediate action. This includes mapping the need for accessible housing, gathering data, and involving disabled people in decision-making processes.
Calls for Improvement
The Mayor of London has expressed commitment to ensuring that all Londoners have access to affordable homes, including those with disabilities. However, the committee finds that this has not been treated as a priority by the Mayor. The committee has called for the next Strategic Housing Market Assessment to give far greater attention to accessibility.
Consequences of Inaction
The committee's investigation has uncovered harrowing accounts of the impact of the lack of accessible housing on lives. One Disabled Londoner took their own life after months of unresolved noise complaints due to a lack of accessible housing. Another Disabled Londoner was placed in temporary accommodation without an accessible bathroom. In another case, a resident had to wait for their partner to return home to carry them upstairs because they could not manage the steps themselves.
Pressure on the GLA
The committee has not found any evidence that the Mayor is addressing the issues of accessible housing adequately. The committee has called on the GLA to improve its data collection on accessible housing and for Disabled people's organizations to be directly involved in shaping housing policy.
The committee's letter, detailing their findings and recommendations, can be read in full here.
