We need urgent reforms to ensure Disabled people have the right to accessible, affordable, and secure housing…writes Navin Shah
Labour government made a historic commitment to get ‘Britain building again’ with a radical programme of 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament and deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation desperately required in London and across the country.
The commitment proposes changes to the affordable homes programme to ensure that it delivers more homes and supports councils and housing associations to boost their capacity and make a greater contribution to the supply of affordable housing. A housing programme of this scale will undoubtedly boost building industry across the nation which in turn will mean a welcome economic boost. There are issues however that concern me like the planning regime and capacity to build at the unprecedented scale. However, that’s discussion for the future. I want to address the ‘elephant in the room’
Through thus piece I want to give voice to several disability voluntary groups and urge the government to address the chronic shortage of accessible homes for disabled and older people who have been treated like second class citizens and worse for fourteen years under the previous government. Issues of overall housing capacity, shortage, and affordability are aired regularly but there’s a complete silence until very recently about commitment for accessible and affordable homes for disabled people. This must change. Issues of housing for disable people are those of equality, quality and quantity.
‘Inclusion London’ and other voluntary groups have been very vocal in pursuing this issue and I pay tribute to their work for ongoing campaigns in London and across the country. Last week saw the launch of ‘BarriersAtHome’ report at City Hall by Inclusion London. The report unfolds the plight of disabled and older people in London struggling for accessible homes,
Co-Chair of Inclusions London marking the launch of the report said ‘The launch of the Inclusion London #BarriersAtHome housing report marks a crucial step in highlighting the systemic failures that leave so many Disabled people trapped in inaccessible, unsafe, and unsuitable housing. This report amplifies the voices of Disabled people who are too often ignored when it comes to housing policy and practice.’
‘For too long, Disabled people have been forced to live in homes that do not meet our basic needs, facing barriers that strip us of our independence and dignity. From the lack of step-free access and wheelchair-adapted properties to the failure of landlords and local authorities to make reasonable adjustments, this crisis is not just about housing, it’s about human rights.’
‘#BarriersAtHome is a call to action. We need urgent reforms to ensure Disabled people have the right to accessible, affordable, and secure housing. That means legally enforceable accessibility standards, a commitment to building more accessible homes, and proper investment in adaptations so that Disabled people are not left waiting years for essential changes.’
‘I am proud to have spoken at City Hall to support this report, and I urge policymakers, housing providers, and local authorities to listen and act. We cannot allow Disabled people to be locked out of safe and suitable housing any longer.’
Voluntary organisations point out:
• 1 in 5 Disabled people in social housing and 1 in 3 Disabled private renters live in inaccessible homes.
• Current conditions are horrendous in that too many of disable people cannot wash, cook and (in some cases) enter and leave their homes independently.
• Local authorities have failed to increase the supply of accessible homes, with more than half of all local plans in England having no requirements to build accessible or adaptable homes.
• In July 2022 the previous Government committed to raise accessibility standards for new build homes, announcing their intention to meet Building Regulations requirement M4(2) ‘accessible and adaptable dwellings’ standard the new housing regulatory baseline. Nothing has happened since then, rendering new build homes inaccessible.
Voluntary groups forcefully argue accessible homes will increase choice and control, make disabled people less dependent on care and reduce a risk of being hospitalised. This will enable them to live an ‘equal’ and ‘independent’ life.
The mission-driven government must deliver their ‘change’ agenda by championing accessible and affordable housing by building more accessible social rent homes to genuinely transform the lives of millions of disabled and older people. To achieve this fundamental changes are required to the Building Regulations which are not fit for purpose. This being the case because the relevant Building regulations relating to accessible / adaptable dwellings and wheelchair dwelling are only “optional requirements” requiring “reasonable provision” in the view of the Secretary of the State. To change this, the government needs to mandate changes to ‘Building Regulations M4(2) and M4(3) as the minimum standards for all new build homes and set targets and specific time frames for delivery. It is also critical that the majority of accessible homes are built in the social rented sector.
I see a glimmer of hope as the government seems to be taking action to build more accessible homes and showing commitment towards raising accessibility standards for new homes; reforming planning regime and asking local authorities to assess their local need for wheelchair accessible housing.
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