19th October 2025

The number of homeless households from October 24 through to March 25 was a staggering 7,637, with the largest number of households made homeless according to the category “Accommodation not Reasonable” at 24.8%. What is most worrying is that people with physical health issues and disabilities represent 57% of those within that 24.8% who are currently living in sub-standard or unsuitable accommodation.

People who are in wheelchairs cannot access some plugs or sockets so are unable to use kitchen equipment to cook proper meals. Others cannot go in or out of their front or back doors due to not having ramps. And of course the inability to leave creates an immediate fire risk.

The Workers Party says despite the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 the Executive has failed in its duty to provide for the needs of those with disabilities who require suitable accommodation to enable them to live comfortably in their homes.

The Disabled Facilities Grant, which is means tested, is an extremely long drawn-out process and requires a mechanism to speed it up so that applicants know in a timely manner if their application has been granted. People with disabilities who live in accommodation not suitable for their needs must be made a priority to allow them to feel fully integrated and included in society and not marginalised.