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Whānau across Aotearoa are raising alarm about the growing pressures facing the country’s disability sector, with many telling Radio Waatea they have spent years waiting for suitable housing and support.
Interviews with families and service providers reveal a system struggling to keep pace with demand, where accessible housing is scarce, support services are stretched, and many disabled people and their whānau feel they are being left behind.
Several families told Waatea they have remained on waiting lists for years trying to secure disability-friendly housing. In many cases, homes designed to accommodate wheelchairs, mobility equipment or specialised care simply do not exist in sufficient numbers.
Providers working in the sector say the shortage of accessible homes has reached critical levels. Some organisations told Waatea that available housing stock is extremely limited, with new builds or adapted homes rarely becoming available.
For families caring for disabled loved ones, the shortage often means continuing to live in homes that are unsuitable or unsafe, where narrow hallways, steps and cramped bathrooms make daily life far more difficult.
Community providers say the situation is not only about housing. Many families are also reporting frustration when dealing with government agencies responsible for support funding.
Some providers say navigating the system can feel like an uphill battle, particularly when dealing with ACC, where they say securing approval for assistance often feels harder than being declined. They describe a process where whānau must repeatedly justify their needs and wait long periods for decisions.
For families already under strain, those delays can compound stress and uncertainty.
One provider who works closely with disabled communities told Waatea they have witnessed a worrying rise in the number of whānau seeking help not just with housing or financial support, but with mental health challenges.
They say there has been a noticeable increase in people experiencing depression and anxiety, particularly among carers who feel overwhelmed by the lack of support available.
Many carers spend years advocating for their loved ones while balancing work, financial pressures and their own wellbeing. For some, the constant struggle to access services has begun to take a significant emotional toll.
Advocates say the challenges highlight broader systemic issues across the disability sector, including funding pressures, workforce shortages and an ageing population that is increasing demand for services.
For Māori and Pacific communities, those pressures are often magnified by existing health and housing inequities.
Radio Waatea will be seeking responses from government ministers, disability advocates and community leaders about the concerns being raised by whānau and providers.
As pressure continues to mount, many families say the issue is no longer simply about policy or funding – it is about dignity, safety and ensuring disabled people across Aotearoa have access to the homes and support they need to live with independence and respect.
