Who are Cardiff Accessible Homes?

Within the Cardiff area, there are many people and families who need a home that has been purpose built or adapted to meet their needs. This relates to wheelchair accessible housing and properties that are suitable for people who have mobility difficulties and who have may have specific needs which may mean their home should have particular features such as a level access shower, stair-lift and through floor lift.

However, due to short supply of properties built or adapted to necessary standards, disabled people often have to wait a long time for a suitable property to become available.

Cardiff Accessible Homes was set up in 2003 to help applicants who wish to move from their current property into a property that suits their needs.  The project is currently supported and funded by Cardiff County Council, Cadwyn, Cardiff Community, Hafod, Linc-Cymru, United Welsh and Wales and West Housing Association. The project is monitored  by a steering group made up of representatives from the local authority, housing associations, disabled tenants and organisations who work with disabled people within the Cardiff area.

For even more infomation on Cardiff Accessible Homes download our infomation guide here.

What Do Cardiff Accessible Homes Do?

In essence Cardiff Accessible Homes:

• Manages a list of disabled people wanting to move to an adapted and/or accessible property in Cardiff
• Manages a register of  adapted and accessible properties in Cardiff
• Manages a process that matches available properties to those applicants on the accessible housing waiting list

Who Can Apply To Cardiff Accessible Homes?

Anyone who considers themselves’ to be disabled can apply.  By disabled we mean:

• People with mobility difficulties
• People with physical difficulties

If you have a particular need involving adaptations or aids which would affect what type of housing you need then we may be able to help. This could be access needs (such as a ramp or walk in shower) or other needs (such as storage space for an electric wheelchair).

Who Can Cardiff Accessible Homes Not Help?

The following people cannot apply to go on the register:

• Anyone who has been evicted for breaking the conditions of their tenancy agreement
• Anyone who has been convicted of criminal acts taking place within any Housing Association or Local Authority property or against staff, tenants or neighbours
• Anyone aged under the age of 16
• Anyone who we believe would not be able to manage a tenancy without specialised support
• Anyone who following the project’s referral process, is identified as posing an unacceptable risk to themselves, others or both
• Housing Association only - Anyone who owes money to one of the partner organisations (unless that person can show they have made a satisfactory arrangement to pay the debt)

How Can I Apply To Cardiff Accessible Homes?

If you would like to apply, you need to contact the following:

Cardiff Accessible Homes
20 Splott Road
Cardiff
CF24 2BZ

Phone: 02920 468 408
Fax: 02920 494 874
Email: CAH@ccha.org.uk

If you would like a member of the project team to visit you at your home we can arrange this. 

If you have recently completed a general needs application form for one of the projects partner organisations and have indicated you are a disabled person on the form your details will be referred to us and we will send you an Accessible Housing application form.  Should you require a visit please ring the number above to arrange.

What Happens After The Application Form Has Been Completed?

When we have received your completed application form checks will be made with Cardiff County Council to make sure the information is correct.  Your application will be passed to an Occupational Therapist (OT) who will arrange to visit you at your property.  The OT will assess your needs and make a decision regarding your eligibility. If the OT confirms a need for re-housing your application to an adapted property your application will be processed and you will be accepted onto the Accessible Homes housing register.

Should the OT not feel there is a need for re-housing to an adapted property we will write to you with the decision and provide you with information on other housing options.

What If I Live Outside Of Cardiff?

You can still apply but those applicants already living in Cardiff will be given priority.

What About If I Own My Own Home?

You can still apply but you will be asked to complete a supplementary financial information form which will enable us to make a decision regarding your eligibility.

How Do You Match People To Properties?

We initially shortlist applicants based on the type, size and location of the available property.  We then look at the type of adaptations and aids in the property.  The person with the most need and who is best matched to the property will be contacted first.

The need is based on the OT assessment and also other factors such as homelessness and people in hospital who are unable to return to their current property.  Should more than one applicant match the property and have the same OT and housing award the person who has been on the list longest will be contacted first.

How Long Will I Have To Wait On The Register?

It’s impossible to say.  Unfortunately there are more people on the register than there are properties available.  As a result we cannot guarantee when you will be housed.

What If I Have A Change In My Circumstances?

You should tell us straight away as the change may affect your chances of being housed.  We may ask you to complete a new application form, particularly if your address or family make up has changed.

Who Will Contact Me If I Shortlist For A Property?

You will be contacted by either a member of the project team or the landlord who owns the property.  You will be told the property details and if interested a viewing will be arranged.

What Happens After I View A Property?

If after seeing the property you decide to accept the offer, the landlord will ask you to sign a tenancy agreement.  They will give you a tenants’ handbook and the keys for the property.  You will have to tell a number of agencies you have moved, such as gas and electricity companies.  If you are claiming housing benefit you must contact Cardiff County Council.

If you decide to refuse the property you should let us know as soon as possible and explain why you have refused the property.  Your application will not be affected by this refusal as long as the reasons given for the refusal are satisfactory.  If you refuse an offer you will remain on the register.

Useful Contacts And Telephone Numbers

If you would like further information or have any questions about Cardiff Accessible Homes please use the contact details above.

Other appropriate organisations include: