Bricks, mortar and independent living - Merton CIL review of housing for Deaf and Disabled people

Merton CIL has started a review of housing for Deaf and Disabled people in the borough and we want to hear people's views and experiences.

'Housing is a big issue that is affected by a range of factors,' says Merton CIL Policy and Strategy Manager Michael Turner. ‘Having the right home is an essential foundation for independent living and helps reduce the need for other types of support. Our review will focus specifically on local issues and those that have local solutions and will be based on the belief it is local Deaf and Disabled People who can best recommend approaches and solutions which will work for us.'

 

The key issues we will be looking at are:

1. Medical assessments for people applying for social housing or to be re-homed.

2. Disabled people on the waiting list for social housing, and particularly the position of Disabled people who are homeless.

3. Disabled people who need to move because of hate crime or domestic violence.

4. Assessments for adaptations and/or the Disability Facilities Grant.

5. Disabled people who face eviction.

6.How the Council's housing department and social care department work together.

7. Getting repairs done in social housing.

8. Disabled people having a say about their housing.

9. Getting advice and advocacy about housing.

10. Making sure there is enough housing for Disabled people in plans for the future.

 

We will be running a focus group for Deaf and Disabled people in Merton. This will be held on Thursday 1st August 2019 from 1pm at Wandle Valley Resource Centre, Church Road, Mitcham, CR4 3BE.

 

There will also be an online questionnaire for people to give any experiences or views about any of these issues, You can also get in touch by emailing strategy@mertoncil.org.uk

 

ENDS

About Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL): Merton CIL is an organisation run and controlled by Deaf and Disabled People, delivering supportive services for Deaf and Disabled People within The London Borough of Merton - www.mertoncil.org.uk

 

For more information contact:

Michael Turner

Email: michael@mertoncil.org.uk

Telephone: 0745 458 8775