Disability

Accessible and affordable homes promote independence

One billion people globally experience some form of disability, representing the world’s largest minority, with a higher prevalence in emerging economies.

The delivery of quality, accessible, climate-smart housing is fundamental for people living with disabilities, but also for creating just and inclusive societies that work for all. Many people living with disabilities experience barriers to appropriate and affordable housing.

Across urban Africa and Asia, people living on low incomes are often settled in overcrowded and unsanitary informal settlements. These areas present accessibility problems, with unpaved and narrow paths, lack of lighting and inadequate water and sanitation and open sewers, all of which further compromise the independence and quality of life for people with disabilities.

A positive impact on life for people living with disabilities

Moving into well designed homes that are affordable, resilient, and equipped with clean water and sanitation has an immediate positive impact on the quality of life for people living with disabilities.

Reall and our in-country housing developer partners deepen this impact through implementing inclusive architectural designs. At a minimum, all Reall developer partners and their affordable housing projects adhere to official disability standards and inclusive design guidelines in their respective countries and cities. Reall further develops the capacity for disability-inclusive design through technical assistance to partners, project monitoring, and independent auditing.

How affordable housing transforms lives for people with disabilities

Legal security of tenure guaranteeing legal protection against forced eviction, harassment, and insecurity
Accessibility, well designed homes provide appropriate space, ground floor access, and ground floor sleeping quarters for people with disabilities
Affordability, reducing personal or household financial costs associated with housing
Habitability, quality, professionally built housing that provides adequate space and protects from weather impacts, structural hazards, and disease vectors (including Covid-19) is essential to safeguard vulnerable people
Water, sanitation and services, access to safe and clean water and sanitation facilities is a basic right of all people, including those with disabilities, the denial of which can have serious implications on their well-being
Location, providing access to employment opportunities, healthcare services, schools, and other social facilities in near proximity

Recent Reall impact studies have showcased the transformative improvement in the quality of life for homeowners in Pakistan, including those who experience mobility and health challenges. Many occupants directly attribute this to the quality housing and tranquil, safe environment developed by Reall with its partners.

This placemaking approach demonstrates that through strategic and creative interventions new affordable housing developments can become places to thrive for all people.

107000

People with improved water

795000

People with improved sanitation

107000

total people housed