Inclusion London’s day of action: a recap of our demonstration for accessible housing.
Monday 29th July 2024, saw the second anniversary of the previous Conservative Government’s unmet commitment to raise accessibility standards for new build homes in England, meaning that Disabled people continue to be denied access to housing that meet our needs. Inclusion London’s Policy and Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Laura Vicinanza and Policy and Campaigns Officer, Mariella Hill, report back from a powerful day of action in central London that united the disability community to turn up the noise on the vital issue of accessible housing for Disabled people.
Inclusion London, supported by many Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations (DDPOs) and other organisations within the housing movement, held a powerful demonstration in Westminster, urging the new Labour Government to make accessible housing a priority. About 70 energised individuals joined Inclusion London in central London gathering first in Parliament Square, and then marching towards Downing Street to hand in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. The demonstration was a resounding call to action: we demanded the new Government to raise the minimum accessibility standards for new build homes across the UK, introduce a national 10% target for wheelchair accessible homes and build more social rent accessible housing. Deaf and Disabled people from various backgrounds and different parts of the country came together to highlight the critical need for the new Government to build the homes they need. The event featured an impressive range of speeches from Deaf and Disabled individuals and organisations, including:
• Laura Vicinanza (Policy and Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Inclusion London)
• Osayuki Igbinoba (Disability Campaigner)
• Adam Gabsi (chair of Inclusion London and HAD)
• Christina McGill (Director of Policy and External Affairs at Habinteg)
• Sam Cornealius-Light (Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance)
• Angie Airlie (CEO - Stay Safe East)
• Jamie (Campaigner & survivor of homelessness)
• Sophia Kleanthous (Disability rights campaigner, survivor of homelessness and Project Lead at Action on Disability)
• Anis Akhtar
Speakers drew on their lived and professional experiences, as well as years of Disability activism, to articulate the struggles of hundreds of thousands of Deaf and Disabled people in England living in homes that are unsafe, inaccessible and unaffordable.
The demonstration also welcomed a speech from Ben Coleman, the newly elected Labour MP for Chelsea & Fulham. He has been in conversation with Inclusion London and his local Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation, Action on Disability, about the need for Labour to prioritise accessible housing. Coleman highlighted Labour’s plans to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years, stating, “Those homes are going to need to be, as many of them as possible, properly accessible.”
After the speeches, the group marched towards Downing Street, chanting slogans like “Angela Rayner, join our fight! Homes for all, it’s only right!” and “No more dither, no more delay, we want accessible homes today.” Upon arrival, five individuals handed over a letter signed by over 40 DDPOs and various housing organisations such as Advice for Renters, ACORN, Defend Council Housing, Greater Manchester Tenants Union, Medact, New Economics Foundation, London Fire Brigade Community Forum, and Centre for Ageing Better.
You can view the letter here: https://www.inclusionlondon.org.uk/services-and-support/our-projects/disability-and-housing-in-london/letter-to-the-government/
Why accessible housing matter to us
Housing is the cornerstone of independent living. Yet, Disabled people are still being denied their right to live independently because there are not enough accessible homes to live in. Speaking of why the action was important, Osayuki Igbinoba said “There is a shortage of accessible homes which needs to be addressed. Disabled people should be able to live in homes that are suitable for them”. Accessible homes enable us to live full, independent lives. Investing in accessible housing means massively improving our physical and mental health. It also means putting less pressures on the social care system and NHS resources.
We heard stories from Disabled people where accessible housing has radically transformed their lives. Living in a home that meets our needs should not be a postcode lottery. We cannot continue to build homes that are inaccessible and cannot be adapted to meet Disabled people’s needs. Continued delays only mean that more and more people will be forced to live in unsuitable conditions. Our fight ends when our basic housing rights and needs are met. Until then, we are not going away.
We want accessible homes now
The date of the protest marked two years since the previous Government committed to raising the accessibility standards of new build housing. However, they did not follow through with their commitments.
The previous Government also rejected introducing national targets for wheelchair accessible housing despite the need for such housing. Not only there are 400,000 wheelchair users in this country living in unsuitable homes, but they are also expected to wait on average 47 years for a new build accessible social rent home.
There is a chronic shortage of accessible social rent housing which Disabled people need because it is the most affordable and secure form of tenure - many of us cannot afford to rent privately or buy our own homes. Poverty rates among Disabled people are shockingly high because of successive government policy failures and years of austerity.
We have heard lots of ambitious words from the previous Government about the need to improve the housing conditions of Disabled people in England, but words mean nothing if they do not turn into action. We are tired of empty promised. We are tired of being ignored.
We are now calling on the new Labour Government to champion accessible housing. We look forward to working with the new Government to deliver the housing change. Deaf and Disabled People need. Our ask is simple, build the homes Deaf and Disabled people desperately need: accessible social rent homes. The day was a testament to the strength and solidarity of the Deaf and Disabled community, showcasing diverse voices and shared determination of all who attended. It was a great day, filled with hope and a strong sense of purpose, as we united to demand a future where everyone has a home that meets their needs.
Written by Laura Vicinanaza and Mariella Hill
ALT Text: A collage of nine pictures from the Day of Action.
The top left is a picture of campaigners approaching Downing Street to hand in the petition.
Next is Laura Vicinanza and Anis delivering the petition to number 10.
A picture of many campaigners gathering on Parliament Square for the Day of Action.
Five Disabled campaigners pictured outside of number 10 Downing Street. Laura and Anis are standing outside of the main door, with Osayuki, Adam and Jamie sitting in their wheelchairs infront.
Laura Vicinanza holding two banners. One banner is the Inclusion London logo, and another a large envelope addressed to Sir Keir Starmer.
A Disabled campaigner pictured with the home-made sign, and the wheels of her wheelchair reading accessible housing.
Adam Gabsi, chair of Inclusion London and HAD, speaking into a megaphone.
A Disabled campaigner with a sign which reads 'Disabled people locked out of housing'
Ben Coleman, the newly elected Labour MP for Chelsea & Fulham, speaking into a megaphone.
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