Grimsby woman urges Government to help build more accessible social housing for disabled people

A North East Lincolnshire woman says some disabled people are ‘existing’ and ‘not living’ 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: “I’ve been waiting such a long time for accessible housing, it’s such a long wait, you go through so many hurdles.”

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says: “Housing is one of the government’s top priorities. Everyone deserves to live in a decent, accessible home they feel safe in.”

After many years waiting for a suitable property, Ms Pilsworth has described her new accessible rented home as “life changing”. She says she’s now able to access rooms that she couldn’t before such as a wet room with adaptions saying “Before, I couldn’t have showers for over five years.” She adds: “I can use the kitchen because it has lowered worktops that have adjustable heights.”

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: “We will set out our policies on accessible new build housing shortly.”

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