The Real Homes Housing Campaign focused on the experiences of Disabled tenants living in social housing in Tower Hamlets
Everyone deserves to live in a home where they feel safe and able to thrive. Unfortunately, many Disabled tenants face unsuitable or inaccessible living conditions. Through this campaign, we shed light on these issues and raised awareness of the barriers Disabled people face in social housing.
The co-production group decided to centre the campaign on Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for Disabled tenants. PEEPs are vital, especially in high-rise buildings, as they set out how a Disabled person will be supported to evacuate safely in an emergency. Without them, people may be left at serious risk during fires or other emergencies.
As part of the campaign, we spoke directly with local authorities, housing associations, and MP Apsana Begum, who visited our office to listen to Disabled people’s experiences and discuss this urgent issue.
We worked with Disabled social housing tenants to:
· identify key housing and safety concerns
· campaign for proper PEEPs to be adopted and implemented
· advocate for positive change with housing providers and decision-makers
Participants also gained knowledge about housing rights and developed campaigning skills to help influence local services
By working together, we helped raise awareness of the need for PEEPs and pressed housing providers to take Disabled tenants’ safety more seriously. The campaign also highlighted broader issues around inclusive housing services in Tower Hamlets, and the insights gathered continue to shape our ongoing work on housing and independent living.