Wheelchair user still waiting for suitable home

Sam says she feels discriminated against as not all disabled tenants have the same needs

A woman who uses a wheelchair says she feels ignored by her local council after missing out on seven properties.

Sam, 36, who has spina bifida, is going to be evicted in six weeks from her privately rented home in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, due to her landlord selling.

She and her husband have tried to apply for a bungalow through the council, but have been told ones they believe to be suitable are not.

Shropshire Council said it understood Sam's concerns.

The mother-of-one told the BBC she believed the council thought all disabled people had the same needs.

"They don't know the dimensions of my wheelchair, they've never asked," she explained.

"I feel extremely stressed, I feel extremely chaotic in my mind," she added.

She said she had missed out on seven properties the council thought not suitable, because it held the view the doors were not wide enough or that the homes did not have a shower.

Sam, however, said she preferred to use a bath.

"I feel discriminated against," she said.

Shropshire Council said it worked with all its cases to find suitable housing

James Gittins the vice-chairman of Bridgnorth Housing Trust, said the needs of individuals should take priority.

"I think we need to assess everybody's needs differently and hopefully make some more properties in Bridgnorth available...for the people in need," he said.

Shropshire Council said it would work with Sam as it did with all its cases to ensure she had access to suitable housing that met her needs.