Ten
organisations from across the housing and charity sectors are warning of a
crisis in the provision of suitable housing for older and disabled people as
they launch a new coalition to campaign for accessible homes.
As
parliament dissolves ahead of a general election, Housing Made for Everyone
(HoME) has published an open letter calling on the next government to take
greater action to secure housing suitable for all.
Recent
research showed that less than half of local housebuilding plans in England
included provision for accessible homes. Meanwhile the number of households
headed by someone aged 65 and over has increased by more than a million since
2010/11. By 2030, projected figures suggest that there will be just one new
accessible home built for every 15 people over the age of 65.
Previous commitments to consult on the mandatory building
regulations for new homes have not been acted on. The HoME coalition is calling on the next government to urgently consult to
ensure that all new homes are built to Building Regulations, Volume 1, M4,
Category 2 standards, meaning that they have basic accessibility features that
make them suitable for a range of occupants, and can be easily adapted to meet
further requirements.
Anna
Dixon, Chief Executive at the Centre for Ageing Better, which co-chairs the
coalition, said: “Too many people are today living in homes that limit
their independence, as we face a dangerous shortage of homes that are
accessible and adaptable. Whilst it’s not
inevitable, the likelihood is that most of us will experience disability
or difficulties with activities of daily living at some point in our later
life. And with more of us living for longer, this dire lack of
accessible homes represents a ticking timebomb.
“Urgent
action is needed to ensure we are building homes fit for the future, so that
more of us are able to stay in our homes for longer and remain safe and
independent.
“As we
build the homes of tomorrow, it’s crucial that every brick laid today is part
of the solution. Central government, local authorities and developers all have
a role to play in ensuring that the homes of tomorrow are safe, well-designed
and flexible.”
Sheron
Carter, Chief Executive at Habinteg, which co-chairs the coalition,
said: “Recent research by Habinteg reveals that most people in Britain are
not able to welcome a wheelchair user into their home due to poor access. This
is the limiting reality of our current housing stock. So with increasing rates
of disability and an ageing population it’s critical that new homes are built
to standards that provide greater accessibility and adaptability. Unless we do
this we’ll be running into a whole new type of housing crisis in the years to
come.
“We’re
heartened to see so many high profile organisations joining forces to press for
change on such a crucial issue. We can and should be building homes to be
inclusive of all.”
The HoME
coalition has launched a 7-step charter to transform new housing, including
recommendations for central and local government, estate agents, and
developers. The 7 steps (listed in full below) include a higher regulatory
baseline for accessibility of all new homes; better data on the availability of
accessible homes; and bold policies on planning for accessible housing from
Local Authorities.
