Autistic man repeatedly refused housing due to disability benefits

A young autistic man has been refused housing because he is on disbility benefits, his mother says

A young autistic man has been repeatedly refused accommodation in Brighton because he’s on disability benefits, his mother says.

Paula Martin says her 23-year-old son, who did not wish to be named, has tried scores of letting agencies but has been told the same thing every time: landlords will not rent to people on benefits, disabled or otherwise.

The former student, who has Asperger syndrome and is on PIP (Personal Independence Payments) and housing benefit, is seeking a one-bedroom flat to live in the city.

But instead, his mother says, he has gone from college to homelessness.

“It used to be ‘no blacks, no Irish’ but now they say ‘no disabled people’” said Mrs Martin, “It is inhuman. It’s discriminatory and it’s just hurtful.”

Mrs Martin said she contacted more than 20 agencies in the city and they all said landlords would not be willing to rent to anyone on benefits for insurance purposes. This is despite her promise to be a guarantor.

“No landlord is willing to let to somebody on disability benefits. I think it should be illegal,” the mother said, “There’s no reason for this, no reason at all. It’s absolutely wrong for them to say no disabled people.

“He’s managed to get through college and get a foundation degree. The next step is homelessness.”