New Accessible Property Portfolio Is Launching Pilot Scheme.

AccessiblePRS is delighted to announce that we are working with Abode Impact to acquire and operate a small accessible property portfolio. In a venture that sees Abode Impact partnering with investors, developers and local authorities to deliver the scheme, we will provide operational support by consulting on the properties being acquired by the portfolio and finding tenants for them. This may then expand into a larger project in 2022 and beyond.

 

This news will appeal to professionals who are seeking a certain lifestyle. It may enable them to be closer to company bases, for ease of commuting to work or to access the social and leisure activities that these cities have to offer. The properties will be fitted out to a fully accessible M(4)3 standard, including wet-rooms and accessible kitchens.

 

Wheelchair users who are looking to rent accessible properties, or who want to learn more, can register with AccessiblePRS now.

This is a leading initiative in the private rented sector for accessible housing. It will evidence that there is demand for accessible housing and, crucially, that this demand is commercially viable. 

 

The work of Abode Impact should help drive change in planning legislation: i.e. switching responsibility to Central Government for increasing the provision of accessible homes, instead of under-resourced Local Authorities, who have to apply two key tests to convert the existing optional legislation to mandatory. Greater London Authority has shown leadership by requiring 10% of new-build homes to be accessible, however London still has a difficult mix of other hurdles, not least prices.

For many with greater accessibility requirements, Covid-19 has highlighted the impracticalities and frustrations of homes previously deemed “workable”. The impacts of poor housing design, lack of enthusiasm for adaptations from landlords, inability to find the right thing and all the other myriad of pressures and obstacles can hit hard on relationships, work, and mental health. Whatever the background stresses, they usually lead to a gnawing compromise when it comes to signing for somewhere to rent and a reluctant acceptance of our housing situation. 

 

Now we must unlearn what we have normalised: we are not “lucky” to have a home which “sort of works.” Homes can be designed and built to be fit for purpose. It’s time to seek better. For those people renting homes which are unsuitable, AccessiblePRS and Abode Impact are offering change. 

 

It’s also important to acknowledge the link between housing and work, for people living with disabilities. Many corporates talk about equality, but focus solely on gender and race, as though these are the only areas for diversity. Organisations such as The Valuable 500, Business Disability Forum, and Purple Space are doing crucial work, highlighting issues around disability inclusion, the opportunities and quantifiable benefits, and how to have the conversations in order to start implementing successful solutions. However, if people cannot find suitable housing, the dialogue remains academic. They won’t be able to accept the role - as frantic last minute enquiries from Diversity and Inclusion officers have shown.

 

Abode Impact is aiming to demonstrate that accessible housing can deliver returns to landlords that are as good or better than “normal” buy-to-let portfolios. As well as expanding their own portfolio of homes, they then propose to share that knowledge with large-scale organisations who look after many thousands of rented homes, arguing quite rightly that it should become standard and expected that UK property portfolios include an appropriate proportion of accessible properties. Accessible PRS is delighted to be a partner in this effort, which has been a long time coming, and will be welcome news for many professionals and individuals who experience the shortage on a daily basis.