There are a large number of people with disability who live in public or social housing in Australia. A Western Australian report has found that the proportion of tenants with a disability in public housing doubled (11 to 22 percent) from 1991 to 2008; and that in 2008, 48 percent of public housing tenants were receiving the Aged Pension, Disability Support Pension or Veterans’ Allowance.360 While this indicates a significant future need for more housing stock, it also indicates a need for this stock to be accessible.
The majority of public and social housing is inaccessible to people with disability.361 The Social Housing Initiative being implemented by Australian governments only incorporates six minimum universal design elements into the construction of most, but not all new public and social housing, and it does not address the existing inaccessibility of current public and social housing stock.
State and Territory Governments are responsible for managing public and social housing, which often results in inequities across Australia in terms of eligibility and access. In addition, waiting lists for public and social housing is extremely long. There are currently approximately 200,000 people on waiting lists across the country.362 People with disability can apply for priority housing363 which means they will have a reduced waiting time. However, waiting times are still extremely long.364 Further, not all people who apply for priority housing, even those with disability, receive approval.
The lack of adequate, accessible housing also means that many people with disability are forced to live in inappropriate and inaccessible public and social housing with little chance of being moved to housing that suits their needs. Others are forced to live in clusters of accessible public and social housing, which results in further isolation and segregation from the rest of the community.365
Case Study
A woman with MS has two teenage daughters and has applied for accessible public housing. Due to the only available accessible dwellings being one bedroom units, she is told that she cannot live with her daughters if she wants an accessible unit.366
Case Study
Jex Truran is 19 years old, Deaf and blind and he wants to move out of home. Jex and his mother apply for Jex to be considered for priority housing as Jex wants to set up in his own place while he still has some level of vision and so he has time to get used to his new home and can live independently.
Jex’s request is rejected and instead it is suggested that he find his own rental accommodation independently. He explains that he does not have the support to communicate with real estate agents, drive to viewings or obtain employment to afford private rental. On explaining this, he is referred to Youth Housing, which is short-term crisis accommodation and entirely inappropriate for his needs. Jex’s vision deteriorates as he remains on the standard public housing waiting list.367
