Local authority restricting bungalows on age basis

[SimplySteve]

I've considered that my local authority restricting bungalows to over 55s (regardless if they have any disabilities etc, age is the sole eligibility criteria) is ageism? Being restricted from one when we are both carrying serious disability is shocking, even have support from GP, social worker, medical specialist nurse. We fall numerous times a week in current property too. This is discriminatory surely?

I'm not getting arse, I'm stating why.

Thanks for the supportive posts.

I've not assumed people posting are fully able bodied, but remember disability ranges are massive on a symptomatic basis.

I'm also still waiting for people disagreeing with me to say why this stance that an able bodied 55+ person can walk into a standalone bungalow (including with wet room) whereas two severely disabled people with huge mobility issues, one a wheelchair user; one blind and arthritic, cannot.

Properties with more than one level or indoor stairs that are not houses, are maisonettes not flats, but that aside, it's a shame OP that you've not been able to find a suitable property to bid on. I suspect like my own area, housing is in short supply in general. Gffs with their own front doors outside are highly sought after no matter the size. Everyone wants to live on the ground floor.

Unfortunately that means that sometimes those who NEED to live on a ground floor, though I think personally they should be prioritised, are not. In my LA a medical need and an employed person have pretty much the same priority. If a flat is already adapted it will go to the medical need applicant, if it's not it will depend on who has been bidding longer, as my LA will do adaptations.

I think your options right now are wait and continue to bid (the lists are long, 16 months is sadly nothing in some areas, mine included) or appeal via your local councillor. Things can be done and not be a massive deal for LA's (with regards to bending one rule for one means bending it for all) but you'll need a good councillor to articulate the issue well for you. It might help it might not - I know with our LA I've tried to advocate for some families who on paper didn't fit criteria to be given certain properties and sometimes it worked, most times it didn't - rules are rules - but if you don't try you'll never know. Good luck.

@nervousnelly22 Just wanted to apologise for my misjudgment of your comment regarding internet usage.

OP Why have you posted this again after your previous very long thread?
Did you get an OT report stating you need level access facilities? Many ground floor flats can meet that criteria.

MrsAriadneOliver I didn't assume anything. I was just shocked at some of the responses to what essentially a legal question.

The warden supported bungalows, I think it is reasonable that they are age restricted. They are part of the LAs social care package and save them money elsewhere.

The scattered bungalows are different though. Do you actually know that perfectly fit people are living in these bungalows? If yes then you have a real point about the age restriction.

Wouldn't be surprised if some on this thread judge people parking in disabled spots, or using them themselves tbh.

And you've stated again, as previously, that the LA will not provide adaptations. This is simply untrue if the property is able to be adapted, such as correct dimensions in bathroom etc. They have a statutory duty to do so. That doesn't mean it will be done before you move in, or that quickly afterwards, but they have a duty to do so.

In my area an estate of bungalows is being demolished to build low-level flats. People like the idea of bungalows, but they are expensive for the council to maintain, including the gardens which often people cannot manage. Individual bungalows with individual drives and gardens is a huge expense for a council. There just isn't the land or money available for this type of property.

To the people saying this stance isn't discriminatory please consider this:

If a school, shop, whatever had a criterium only people X age+ could enter their facility, and anyone under that age couldn't, what would you call it?

Please don't use sex shops as an example either, they are age restricted in certain areas (Ann Summers for example) for legal reasons.

A bar

The fact is that successive governments have failed in building sufficient housing to cater for the increase in population. The need to make blocks of flats safe often means heavy outside doors which are difficult to manoeuvre. My dsis knows a man who uses a wheelchair but is physically fit. He has technically an outside door to his flat, except the way the bin store is built does not allow him the turning space. He is able to manage, or will call someone to help with doors.

This is the difficulty with flats, doors aren't wide enough, kitchens and bathrooms too small to allow turning space. Councils don't build enough housing that caters for disabled needs. I looked at a flat for sale with a friend and her complaint was that she wouldn't be able to access the flat as the hall was blocked by a scooter. Prams had been stored downstairs. No lifts or storage space for these essential items.

The MP is the best person to start with as they have direct access to the right contacts. Next time you post hopefully you will have something a bit more positive to report

simplysteve There are groups for older people, discounts at restaurants for pensioners on certain days, etc. This is legal.

Sorry that wasn't helpful. I don't think is discrimination because it applies to everyone as a PP if they let you and then don't let the next disabled person that would be discrimination.

Housing is in crisis in this country and I'm not sure there is an answer you will be happy with. It's shit and I sympathise but there is no easy solution. Surely a GFF with heavy door/No close parking is better than stairs and keeping falling though?

My DB is in a flat like this & he is under 55. There was no problem with him getting it, but they are assisted flats in that they have staff around to help if he takes ill etc.

He jokes that they've put him in an old people's home & tbh, they kind of have as he's the youngest there by far & he's not much under 55. Everything there is geared up to the elderly, so my DB doesn't get involved with all the activities they provide & he has found some of his new neighbours rude about him being there too. One woman demanded he swap her as he has a better kitchen, she bakes so figured it was her right & was miffed & has been rude ever since as he said no, he doesn't find any of them particularly welcoming & he's had comments about "youngsters" make too much noise etc. He doesn't & hes 50😐

It's a flat, but it still has all of the accessibility of a bungalow & there generally a lot more of these flats around than bungalows.

I do think it's cheeky to expect a bungalow though when accessible flats will be more available & you are more likely to get one. If you are very young, not sure I'd recommend such a place though as you just won't fit in. DB doesn't, but loves his flat & area

Ive just checked my councils website and they have various restrictions when it comes to bidding on properties, age being one of them.

@dorsetdollymixture I've explained multiple times about why this thread has been reposted. The LA will not provide adaptations due to "lack of funds". The only adaptation they will consider is fitting a shower to a bath, but the criteria for that is double incontinence.

We have reports from Occupational Therapist, GP, Specialist Nurse, Social Worker and a Senior Consultant Surgeon, and DPs certificate of blindness, and they will not budge one iota.

Op you've not answered my questions. I'm sorry but I don't believe that your LA refuse to carry out any adaptations. Your situation is horrid and I have empathy. However, other options may well be suitable, but you seem to have decided that only a bungalow will do.

Houses in my council are only given to people with children (under 16), is that discrimination to people that cant have children?

@SimplySteve
If a school, shop, whatever had a criterium only people X age+ could enter their facility, and anyone under that age couldn't, what would you call it?

Thats not what they are doing.
The Equality Act allows your local authority to make an adjustment to help a group that is at a disadvantage.
The adjustment is only for people with a protected characteristic, in this case its age.
People who do not share the protected characteristic cannot benefit from the adjustment, and cannot make a claim of discrimination.

What you can get the council to do is ask them to make an adjustment based on your needs.
They can find you a wheelchair accessible flat and put in aids to help you - ramps, a downstairs wet room, wide doors, a stairlift.

I do think it's cheeky to expect a bungalow though when accessible flats will be more available & you are more likely to get one.

Fucking hell. I've had enough now, I'm out.

Cross post op. That certainly is illegal so that's what you should go to your MP about. They can't just say no because they have no money.

'The choice to live in the property type you desire is a luxury afforded to those that can buy and pay mortgages."

how did we get here, one of the richest countries in the world, begrudging disabled people housing that meets their needs based on lack of income? Normally MN is so so so supportive and understanding of disability issues, but it's amazing to see how that just gets completely cancelled as soon as the magic words 'social housing' are uttered. The attitude on here towards people in all types of rented accommodation can be incredibly snotty and judgmental, but when it's social housing then the knives really come out. ugh.

Yes agreed that I think you should push on the refusal to make adaptations. They have a legal duty to do that.