At 19 years old, Ryan dreams of one day having an apartment of his own, just like his friends. But as an adult with severe autism and complex needs, accessible and affordable housing options are scarce. Ryan and thousands like him face a frightening future with nowhere to call home. While national strategies overlook their needs, adults with disabilities confront a worsening housing crisis. Suitable accommodation is in desperately short supply. Unstable, unsuitable housing leaves disabled people vulnerable and isolated, with many stuck living with elderly parents well into adulthood or shunted into care homes.
"Ryan talks constantly about having his own place, but it's sadly unrealistic," says his mother, Fiona. "The few providers catering to people like Ryan have years-long waiting lists. I worry every day what will happen to him when I'm gone."
Purpose-built accommodation tailored specifically for the needs of people with learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, and complex health needs barely provides 2% of demand. What limited specialist housing exists is increasingly unaffordable as rents and home prices soar out of reach. Unsurprisingly, home ownership amongst disabled people has plummeted. Just 15% of working-age adults with impairments now own homes, compared to almost 60% of non-disabled people. Excluded from home ownership, the most secure and empowering housing option, people with disabilities remain trapped in unstable tenancies and unsuitable homes.
Battling just to access basic rental accommodation, disabled renters frequently encounter refusals from landlords unwilling to adapt properties or accommodate support workers. Discrimination remains rife, with benefit recipients unfairly seen as unstable tenants. Even when accepted, properties often lack accessibility features like ramps, lifts, grab rails, and wheelchair-friendly layouts. Continuing in such unsuitable housing takes a toll on physical and mental health. But with few alternatives, many disabled adults and their families feel powerless.
"My daughter can barely move around our cramped rental with her walker, let alone safely transfer in and out of her wheelchair," shares Angela, mother of 26-year-old Sara who has cerebral palsy. "But accessible properties are impossible to come by. We take what we can get."
With social housing stock shrinking and affordable homes rarely built to inclusive design standards, availability lags demand. Even purpose-built supported living faces problems, as projects rely on unstable local authority funding vulnerable to changing political priorities. And as needs evolve across a lifetime, securing appropriately adapted accommodation becomes even more difficult. Younger disabled adults may flourish in independent or shared living situations with visiting support. But as abilities decline in later years, larger staffed facilities become essential. Moving between housing models is rarely smooth, with new needs assessments and long waiting lists. Families find themselves abruptly left without care plans.
Even the lucky few who can afford suitable housing must contend with design that segregates rather than integrates. Purpose-built complexes are often located far from community hubs, leaving residents isolated. Clustering people with disabilities together, though sometimes unavoidable for intensive needs, undermines inclusion in wider society.
"Ryan's greatest dream is a home just like his friends have - an apartment downtown where he can be part of the community," says Fiona. "But accessible, affordable options close to transport and activities just don't exist."
With national planning failing to account for their needs, disabled adults and families stress about what comes next. But creative solutions do exist, from incentivizing inclusive private development to re-purposing unused public buildings into accessible housing. As populations age, sustainable strategies benefiting all are needed. Housing that supports independence and choice is not too much to ask for anyone, with or without disabilities. We must demand better for young people like Ryan and the thousands of others whose futures hang in the balance without homes that meet their needs. Because where and how we live matters for all of us.
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