The Disabled People’s Housing Needs Study examines the housing needs of people with physical disabilities in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. It was undertaken by Ecorys and ConsultCIH on behalf of fifteen local authorities. The aims of the study are:
- To better understand how to meet the housing needs of people with physical disabilities.
- To better understand the means by which appropriate housing for disabled people can be delivered.
- To obtain a good evidence base for the development of housing for disabled people.
The focus of the research is on the physical structure and facilities rather than support and care issues.
Key findings for Bolsover district
- There are significant and increasing numbers of disabled people with housing needs in Bolsover, including older people, working age residents and families with children.
-
There is substantial excess demand for appropriate accommodation compared to year on year supply.
- The information about existing suitable housing stock in all tenures is inadequate and ways to improve information, including from the private sector, should be explored.
- The over 65 population will increase in the short, medium and long term and the over 85 population will increase in the long term, significantly increasing the need for housing for disabled people.
- An estimated 2.7% of Bolsover’s social housing stock is of wheelchair standard. However, the understanding of 'wheelchair standard' is not clear. Anecdotally, there a less than five housing association properties which are to full standard suitable for people who use their wheelchairs indoors, as well as out of door. There are currently around 99 households with wheelchair requirements whose needs are not met, a figure increasing to 114 by 2033.
- A significant number of disabled people will be looking to social housing to meet their needs, although there are still many who may be able to afford to buy a suitable property.
- There are very limited to no facilities in supported accommodation (non-elderly) for wheelchair users, and normally communal areas are not fully accessible.
