Habinteg joins Westminster march to ask for more accessible homes | Latest news

Habinteg Housing Association joined disability campaigners in Westminster this week to deliver a letter to Downing Street asking Prime Minister Keir Starmer to raise the accessibility standard for all new homes to the M4(2) accessible and adaptable building standard.

The action was held to mark the two year anniversary of the previous government’s announcement of plans to require all new homes  to be accessible and adaptable. 

The Day of Action, organised by Inclusion London, saw representatives of disabled peoples’ organisations and individual disability campaigners rally at Parliament Square to hear speeches before a march to Downing Street. Alongside the call for an improved baseline of accessibility for all new homes, campaigners called for 10% of all new homes to be built to wheelchair user standards.

Habinteg’s Director of Social Impact and External Affairs, Christina McGill, spoke to the crowd about how inaccessible homes impact disabled and older people.

“For those of us who have experienced and witnessed the impact of a lack of accessible homes, this is not just a dry policy discussion; it’s about recognising the fundamental right of every person to live in a home that meets their needs, where they can thrive with joy and independence,” she said.

Currently:

• Only 9% of homes currently provide the four main features for the lowest level of accessibility – a home that is ‘visitable’ ( English Housing Survey )
• 1.8 million people in the UK need an accessible home (Habinteg:  The Hidden Housing Market )
• 55% of adults without a mobility impairment feel they couldn't remain in their current home should they become disabled, due to its design and layout ( Habinteg )
• 104,000 disabled people are estimated to be on council waiting lists for an accessible or adaptable home ( Habinteg ).
   

Ms McGill said that action from the government could change lives: “The new government has an opportunity now, to make changes that can transform lives, and to create a future where accessible housing is the norm, rather than the exception. Not only do accessible homes support disabled people to get the most out of life. They can also help minimise other areas of public spending.”

She continued: “Raising the minimum standard for all new homes would mean that each of the 1.5 million promised could be part of a solution, not just add to the existing problem. And, making sure that as many of these new homes as possible are built for social rent will help to increase provision in the affordable tenures on which so many disabled people rely.”

Inclusion London's Chair Adam Gabsi, a wheelchair user who lives in a sixth floor social housing flat, said: “All new-build homes should be safe, affordable and accessible. We would like the new Labour government to tackle this lack of equality.

"Your home is the place where you should feel the safest. Living comfortably, safely & independently is a fundamental human right… and we would ask the new Labour government to consider this when making plans for new-build homes."

Habinteg will be holding its annual Accessible Homes Week from 9-13 September and will be urging the Labour Government to bring in the M4(2) accessible and adaptable building standard now for all new homes in England.

Find out how you can raise your voice #ForAccessibleHomes at www.habinteg.org.uk/fah.