For disabled people, housing is about much more than a roof overhead. It's about freedom, dignity, safety, and the ability to participate in community life. Yet housing remains one of the most fundamental barriers disabled people face—from finding accessible units to fighting discrimination to accessing the support needed to live independently.
This section provides practical guidance on every aspect of housing for disabled people: searching for accessible housing, understanding your legal rights, modifying homes to meet your needs, knowing what landlords must do, addressing homelessness, understanding alternative residential models, and building the independent living that disabled people deserve.
Choose your country or region to find specific housing rights, programs, and resources:
New to disability rights and housing? Start with International Housing Rights to understand the global frameworks protecting disabled people's right to housing, then navigate to your country/region above.
All disabled people worldwide have the right to live independently in the community with support. This is established by the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Article 19, ratified by 186 countries. See International Housing Rights for how this translates across different legal systems.
Accessible Housing Search Guide
How to find accessible housing, evaluate accessibility features, use databases and search tools, and navigate the rental process with confidence. See also: Housing Rights for discrimination protection.
Housing Rights
Your legal protections—starting with international frameworks (CRPD Article 19) that apply globally, then organized by country/region (US, Canada, EU, UK, Australia, other). Find your location and learn what rights exist, how to enforce them, and where to get help. See also: International Housing Rights for deep dive on global frameworks.
Home Modifications
How to fund modifications, which programs cover costs (including Medicaid and VA benefits), tax benefits, finding qualified contractors, and how to request modifications as a tenant.
Tenants' Rights with Disabilities
Requesting reasonable accommodations, service animals and support animals (see also Service Animals), dealing with violations, and protecting yourself from eviction. References Housing Rights.
Homelessness and Disability
Understanding housing insecurity, Housing First models, available services, and how disability and homelessness intersect—particularly for marginalized communities. See Intersectionality: Disability and Homelessness for deeper analysis. Related Crisis Resources.
Group Homes and Institutions
Understanding congregate settings, disability justice critique of institutions, deinstitutionalization frameworks, and community-based alternatives. See Independent Living Philosophy for community-based approaches.
Independent Living Philosophy and Centers
The history and principles of the independent living movement, what CILs offer, peer support models, and how disability justice evolved this framework. Alternative to Group Homes and Institutions.
Need to find accessible housing now: Go to Accessible Housing Search Guide for databases, tools, and step-by-step guidance through the search and rental process.
Are facing housing discrimination: Go to Housing Rights to understand what's illegal, how to document violations, and how to file complaints.
Want to modify your home: Go to Home Modifications for funding sources, government programs, and contractor guidance.
Are renting and need accommodations: Go to Tenants' Rights with Disabilities for how to request accommodations, service animal protections, and eviction defense.
Are experiencing homelessness: Go to Homelessness and Disability for services, Housing First approaches, and resources specific to disabled people.
Are considering or in institutional housing: Go to Group Homes and Institutions for disability justice perspectives and community-based alternatives.
Want to understand the independent living movement: Go to Independent Living Philosophy and Centers for history, CIL services, and disability justice framework.
Housing is a human right and fundamental to disabled people's freedom. This means accessible, affordable housing in integrated community settings—not segregated institutions, not warehousing, not conditional on treatment compliance. The pages here center disabled people as experts on what we need, acknowledge that intersecting identities create compounded housing barriers, and provide practical tools alongside the political frameworks that guide disability justice work.
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Last updated: November 2025