Cambridgeshire wheelchair user admits 'mentally draining' wait for home improvements
She's been told her case won't be heard until later this year
Last updated 11th Feb 2024
A wheelchair user from Cambridgeshire has told us the impact waiting several months for adaptations to her home is having on her.
Iqra Saeed said local authorities have told her that her case for whether or not she can have further measures installed round the house could be heard as late as September.
Iqra moved into her home around two weeks ago, and currently has a temporary ramp as well as grab rails attached to some of the indoor and outdoor walls.
"If I let go, I'll tip back which is incredibly unsafe"
"For someone who like me is having to plan their day, they have to exert a lot more energy to get in and out of their home and when you're feeling ill, that's really hard to do," she said.
"When I get to the door, I'm having to hold on with one arm and one-handedly unlocking my door, and if I let go, I'll tip back which is incredibly unsafe and scary as well.
"I don't want to spend another £100 or more for it (new equipment) to perhaps not work or not be safe; I want to access my garden, and I don't think I'll be able to until a solution is clear."
What is happening to solve the problem?
A cross-party group of MPs are looking into what the government, local councils and developers are doing to supply suitable housing for disabled people.
It's also examining what the government can do to help disabled tenants in the private rented sector in England.
The inquiry is due to hear about topics such as the provision of support for disabled people to adapt their homes, including the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG).
In 2022, the government found 98% of people supported plans to raise the accessibility standard of new homes.
Disabled people are being asked to share their views on what needs to happen to ensure access to accessible and adaptable housing in England as part of an online survey.
"There needs to be a solution"
"Although I understand that I'm not the only one who's waiting, there needs to be a solution; it's not acceptable that people in need of these things are just having to wait," Iqra said.
"I think (more measures) being able to get in and out of my home in a safer and easier way, the (lack of) mental drain and physical exertion.
"It's mentally draining, knowing that nobody's really going to approach you and ask 'is there anything we can provide that would support you?'.
"It feels like you're constantly having to fight and no one's listening."
What support is being offered locally?
A spokesperson for Huntingdonshire District Council, a local authority that deals with adaptable housing needs, said it's unclear how long an application for adaptations, such as through the DFG, takes to be completed.
"A clear process from the initial application is applied but how long it takes from approval to the works being completed can depend on a number of factors, such as obtaining approval for the works from the landlord of the property," they said.
"We try to ensure from the that the resident is aware of the process and how long each stage takes.
"Recognising that not all properties are suitable for adaption or the works proposed exceed the budget available, the option of relocating is also discussed with the client."
The council said it receives around £1.6 million from the government a year to carry out work under the DFG programme.
"On average, the budget is overspent by £500,000 due to the demand that is placed on this funding stream," the spokesperson added.
"We continue to work with applicants, landlords, the county council and the building trade to deliver support to those who are need it.”
Cambridgeshire County Council said it helps people with a disability with home adaptations if they are living in private homes and registered under adult social care.
A spokesperson for Places for People, the landlord of Iqra's home, said: “The first part of the process when a customer moves to a new property is for an occupational therapist from the local council to visit the home and assess what is required.
"In this particular case, we are yet to receive this assessment and until it is done it cannot be progressed further.
"We commit to progressing this as soon as possible once we can and in the meantime we will be doing all we can to help the customer.”