Disabled man wins £20k payout from London council over housing

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 17:49 · Archive

A paralysed man housed by Redbridge Council received a £20,000 settlement after being unable to access an accessible toilet or kitchen.

A disabled man has received a £20,000 payout from Redbridge Council following legal proceedings over his housing conditions. The man, identified only as CPH, is paralysed from the waist down and has the use of only one arm. He had previously been homeless before the council housed him in 2020.

The accommodation provided did not have a wheelchair-accessible toilet, kitchen or laundry facilities. As a result, CPH was unable to reach the bathroom from his wheelchair and had to drag himself across the floor to use the toilet and shower. He also struggled to use the shared kitchen and could not do his own laundry. The council's adult social care team recorded in August 2023 that he had eligible care and support needs.

When his partner began providing essential care, she was initially prevented from staying overnight due to visiting hour restrictions of 10am to 8pm. Faced with being left without overnight support, CPH chose to sleep rough with his partner rather than remain in the accommodation alone. He launched judicial review proceedings against the council in November 2024.

Following the case, the council arranged an occupational therapy assessment. According to The Independent, the recommended works did not result in a move to suitable accommodation. Instead, it was recommended that CPH stop using his bathroom and use a 'wheeled shower commode' in his bedroom with his wife's assistance.

How it is being reported

• Disabled man awarded £20,000 by council after being forced to ‘drag himself across the floor to use toilet’The authority suggested that the man use a ‘wheeled shower commode’ instead of his bathroomThe Independent · 9 Oct, 17:12
• Disabled man handed £20k payout from London council after being forced to crawl to the toiletThe man is paralysed from the waist down and could reach the bathroom with his wheelchair — forcing him to crawl across the floorEvening Standard · 8 Oct, 10:23

In this story: Redbridge Council · Bindmans · London

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