Ten organisations have come together to form a coalition, Housing Made for Everyone (HoME), to combat the fact that only 7% of Britain’s homes are currently accessible.
“We write today to call on whoever forms the next government to take urgent action to tackle the growing shortage of accessible homes in the UK,” the nine organisations said in an open letter. The letter highlighted the serious shortage of homes which are safe and suitable for older and disabled people.
For disabled people, living in an unsuitable home is detrimental to all areas of life: for example, disabled people living in inaccessible homes are four times more likely to be unemployed.
“A lack of suitable housing is a problem that will affect us all, with most of us likely to experience mobility impairment or difficulties with the activities of daily living at some point as we get older,” the letter said. “Households headed by someone aged 65 years and over will account for 88% of total growth in households over the next 25 years, and the design of our homes is central to how our society responds to the shift in the age profile of the population.”
Research shows that a measly 1% of homes outside London planned to be built by 2030 are set to be fully wheelchair accessible. Poor housing for the over-55s costs the NHS £624 million a year, mainly as a result of excess cold hazards and falls. Without government intervention this picture will only get worse, with the cost forecast to reach £1 billion per year by 2041.
“As we build more homes, it’s more important than ever that we build the right homes,” the letter said. “The current lack of standards for office-to-residential conversions has resulted in some poor-quality housing, much of it with inadequate space. We are concerned that accelerated planning or extending permitted development rights could also result in yet more homes failing to meet basic accessibility standards.
“We urge you to make the accessible, adaptable design standard set out in Building Regulations, Volume 1, M4 Category 2 the mandatory baseline for all new homes and, where need can be demonstrated for M4 Category 3 (wheelchair user dwellings) the next government should make it easier to introduce relevant planning policies.
“We urge you to review the regulatory baseline and we ask you to act urgently to ensure we are building homes suitable for the future. We also need local authorities to have sufficient funding to map and review the requirements and supply of accessible housing in their area.”
The letter claims that, without action, councils will face an ever-mounting bill for adapting homes retrospectively, as well as spiralling costs for health and social care.
Cllr Darren Rodwell, the Local Government Association’s housing spokesperson, said: “To tackle the shortage of suitable homes for older and disabled people, councils need greater planning powers and resources to hold developers to account, ensuring that they build the right homes in the right places needed by different groups within the local community.
“Accessibility features and home adaptations are also vital to help keep people safe and independent in their homes and prevent avoidable admissions to hospital and care homes. Every £1 spent on housing adaptations are worth more than £2 in care savings and quality of life gains.
“As well as funding and powers to kick-start a renaissance in council house building, such as through reform to the Right to Buy scheme, the Disability Facilities Grant needs to be fully funded to keep up with demand, while we also need to see a long-term sustainable funding solution for adult social care.”
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, added: “Making sure that all new homes are accessible, flexible and adaptable is just common sense, regardless of whether they have been designed for first time buyers, retirees or anyone in between. A well-designed home can work for any generation, across a whole lifetime, and there are enormous benefits to people being able to stay in their own home as they grow older. Not only does inaccessible housing have a damaging effect on people’s health and wellbeing, it can have a huge financial impact too, in the terms of the costs to the NHS.
“As recently as a few months ago the Government committed to a consultation that could deliver up to 300,000 new accessible and adaptable homes. We are calling on the next Prime Minister to ensure this happens.”
The letter was signed by:
- Sheron Carter, Chief Executive, Habinteg Housing;
- Anna Dixon, Chief Executive, Centre for Ageing Better;
- Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director, Age UK;
- Alan M Jones, President, RIBA;
- Sue Adams, Chief Executive, Care and Repair England;
- Kamran Mallick, Chief Executive, Disability Rights UK;
- Jeremy Porteus, Chief Executive, Housing LIN;
- Kate Henderson, Chief Executive, National Housing Federation;
- Terrie Alafat CBE, Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Housing;
- Fiona Howie, Chief Executive, TCPA.
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