People with Disability Australia (PWDA), the national cross-disability rights and advocacy organisation, is urging all parties and candidates to immediately address the critical shortage of accessible housing after this week’s leader’s and housing policy debates failed to even acknowledge people with disability. None of the leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, mentioned accessibility, despite people with disability experiencing extreme levels of housing insecurity and homelessness.
PWDA President Trinity Ford said, “We are in a housing crisis within a housing crisis. Overwhelmingly, people with disability are among the most severely impacted by homelessness and housing insecurity. Disability has been completely ignored on the election trail and has been invisible in key debates and campaign launches, despite housing being a cornerstone of both major parties’ election bids.
“Modifying or retrofitting homes is not an option for most people with disability. The expense is out of reach and far higher than if we just built it right in the first place. The failure to build accessible housing has led to thousands of us staying in hospitals, living in group homes, or staying in unsuitable situations that impact our health and ability to participate in the community.”
The PWDA 2025 Election Platform calls for urgent action to increase the supply of accessible housing by mandate the Livable Housing Design Silver Standard nationwide and a developed a targeted national housing action plan for people with disability.
“The failure of both Labor and Coalition to address disability-specific housing needs is deeply troubling. It's clear that general housing affordability and supply promises alone aren't enough to address decades of neglect in accessible infrastructure. Housing is a human right and must be accessible for the millions of Australians with disability. We need to see that commitment in action now,” said PWDA Board Director Steph Travers.
Janel Manns, a former Paralympian and NDIS participant, has experienced firsthand the battle to secure accessible housing. A wheelchair user with a degenerative condition impacting her upper body, she is currently unable to fully navigate her home.
“Living in Sydney I'm forced to pay $1,000 a week in rent just to have basic access to a shower and toilet. But I can’t access my kitchen. My physical health continues to deteriorate because my home isn’t fully accessible. To afford my rent I’ve had to move in with family.
“This is my experience but what worries me is knowing I’m not the only one – thousands of disabled Australians don’t have a roof over their heard or are living in unsuitable and unsafe conditions. This has got to change. We need more accessible housing now,” said Ms Manns.
PWDA is demanding immediate commitment from all political parties to:
- Mandate national accessibility standards in housing, in all States and Territories, through the National Construction Code.
- Prioritise people with disability explicitly in housing and homelessness policies.
- Develop targeted actions under the National Housing and Homelessness Plan to address disability-specific housing needs.
- Increase investment in independent, accessible social housing.
“It's time for politicians to listen and act. Accessible housing is not optional – it's essential. There are 5.5 million people with disability, our votes will go to candidates and parties who commit clearly and publicly to addressing our community’s urgent housing needs,” said PWDA President Trinity Ford.
ENDS
Available for interview:
- Trinity Ford, PWDA President
- Steph Travers, PWDA Board Director
- Janel Manns, Former Paralympian and NDIS Participant
About us:
ABOUT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY AUSTRALIA
People with Disability Australia Incorporated (PWDA) is a national disability rights and advocacy, non-profit, non-government organisation. We have a cross-disability focus, representing the interests of people with all kinds of disability and our membership is made up of people with disability and organisations mainly constituted by people with disability.
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Contact details:
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