People with Disabilities and the Housing Crisis
People with disabilities face unique challenges in the housing crisis. Many of these barriers are the result of how society treated people with disabilities in the early and mid-20th century. Institutionalization and segregation removed them from discussions and planning around housing. Beginning in the late 1960s, civil rights laws for the disability community started to address some of this exclusion.
Community Vision wants to build on this shift and expand inclusion and independence for people with disabilities. Accessible, affordable housing is fundamental to creating this equity.
As Oregon works to meet the housing needs of people across the state, we are raising awareness of how the housing crisis impacts people with disabilities. We are advocating alongside people with disabilities for policies that create more affordable, accessible housing and prioritize housing for people with disabilities.
Access Denied
Our report “Access Denied: An Overview of the Housing Crisis for People with Disabilities” examines the problems people with disabilities face when trying to find a home. The report:
- Explores housing affordability. People with disabilities experience inequities in income. Part-time employment, restrictions on Social Security income, and not enough rental assistance limit the rent they can afford. This profoundly impacts housing choice.
- Exposes the limited number of accessible homes. Current accessibility standards do not match the need for accessible housing. In addition, accessible units are difficult to find due to widespread noncompliance with accessibility standards.
- Examines how fair housing and equal opportunity laws are not being followed. Housing providers are failing to grant reasonable accommodation requests and to match people with disabilities to accessible homes.
Read Full Report
“Access Denied: An Overview of the Housing Crisis for People with Disabilities”
By Allen Hines, Housing Access Director, Community Vision
Additional Materials
1-page summaries of priority advocacy areas:
Read More about Our Housing Advocacy Work
For more, see our recent stories on our housing advocacy work.
Contact
Allen Hines
Housing Access Program Director
(971) 263-0048
ahines@cvision.org
