John Grooms Housing Association and Ability Housing Association are among the growing numbers of housing associations promoting the benefits of accessible housing registers (17 September, page 10)

Practical and cost-effective, accessible housing registers would make a real difference to disabled people’s lives nationwide and help to address the housing crisis that disabled people face.

The implementation of accessible housing registers would immediately widen the choice of available housing for disabled people and assist with local planning of housing need.

The government has twice resisted the idea that all local authorities should use an accessible housing register, citing “increased bureaucracy”. This is not a conclusion drawn from the facts.

The issue will be discussed for a third time when an amendment to the Housing Bill is debated in the House of Lords in October. John Grooms and our supporters will continue to campaign for this common-sense policy until it is implemented.

Now is the time for positive action to be taken.

David Harmer, chief executive John Grooms Housing Association

Source

Housing Today