We believe people with learning disabilities
should be treated in exactly the same way as everybody else.
Unfortunately, even though the Government has introduced
legislation to ensure anyone with a disability is treated
equally, very few people with a learning disability buy
a home of their own.
Here are the facts. According to the Land Registry, roughly
71% of the population are home owners. Yet very much less
than 1% of people with learning disabilities are home owners.
Sadly, people with learning disabilities face discrimination
in every part of the home buying process.
Here are fours of the main areas:
- It's almost impossible to buy even the smallest home
because properties are so expensive in all parts of the
country and generally people with learning disabilities
have low incomes or rely on State Benefits
- Mortgage lenders are reluctant to lend to people with
low incomes or who claim State Benefits
- State Benefits departments are normally unwilling to
confirm you'll receive money to help you pay a mortgage
until you've agreed a specific home to buy - but how can
you agree to buy a home until you know you'll qualify
for a payment?
- There's very little practical help available for people
with learning disabilities who want to buy a home of their
own
As a result of these and many other difficulties, only
a few persistent people with learning disabilities manage
to buy a home of their own. We think lots more people with
learning disabilities could benefit from home ownership,
including:
- People who live with their parents or other relatives,
who would like a home of their own, maybe close to where
they live already
- People who live in rented flats and houses, who could
benefit from more choice of where to live, often in better
quality accommodation and with long-term security
- People who live in residential care homes, who would
like to live more independently
Supported community living is a great idea, but there's
no sensible solution to make it work for large numbers of
people with learning disabilities.
That is, until
now! |
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