My freedom at last- my accessible home | Tenant news

Catherine Hunn is our new tenant in Tunbridge Wells and she shared with us what having an accessible home at last means to her, and a little about the challenges of being on a waiting list for a long time.

Please tell us about yourself and what you’re most looking forward to while living in your new home.

My name is Catherine Hunn, I’ve just moved into a Habinteg property and I’m looking forward to the flat wide access plus the front door being easier access because where I lived before, we had ramps and the doors were too small.

Were you on a waiting list before or were you just browsing through properties online or through an agent?

I was on the borough council’s waiting list for an accessible property.

Our recent research that was broadcast on ITV news showed that 104,000 disabled people are currently on housing waiting lists for an accessible home.

How long ago did you apply for this home and when did you hear that you had got it?

Four and a half years ago we applied for an accessible property and I only heard back a few weeks ago that I had got an accessible home.

What’s the best thing about having an accessible home?

It felt perfect that we got an accessible property I was very pleased.

The best thing about having an accessible home is that I will be able to move around my home in my motorised wheelchair and get in and out more easily when I do go out.

I can also have a shower in the wet room instead of just bed baths.

Do you think the government should encourage councils to build more accessible homes?

I think the government should encourage councils to build more accessible homes if needed.

I would have loved the opportunity sooner to be able to have flat-wide access.

We hope you are very happy here and wish you all the very best for the future.

I am sure I will be much happier with this property it will certainly change my life for the better, many thanks to Habinteg for providing me with the opportunity to have a flat that is soooo suitable.

I love my new home, all I need is catered for. And once we get a ceiling hoist it will be even better.

We wish Catherine, a wonderful stay in her home and we’ll definitely keep in touch with her through her neighbourhood Coordinator Karen Blissett.

If you’ve got a story you’d like to share with us or something you would like us to know about for our publications, please get in touch by emailing comms@habinteg.org.uk. And as a thank-you, we’ll send you a £20 gift voucher for your story.