Habinteg’s response to King's Speech at State Opening of Parliament | Latest news

Habinteg welcomes the Government’s commitment to building more social and affordable housing, as confirmed in the King’s Speech, Wednesday 17 July.

Chief Executive Nick Apetroaie said: “However, we want to make sure that every one of those new homes is fit for the future by helping to solve the country's accessible housing deficit. 

“Only 9% of homes in England have even the most basic accessibility features and its unacceptable that currently 400,00 wheelchair users are living in homes that are not designed to meet their needs.

“Two things are needed. Firstly, we urge the government to make good on plans to improve the minimum accessibility standard of all new homes. Making sure all homes are accessible and adaptable will help to meet the housing needs of disabled and older people up and down the country and will future proof new homes to be adaptable to the changing needs of people who live in them.

“Next, for wheelchair users, there is a dire shortage of suitable properties, so we need all local plans to address this by setting targets for new wheelchair standard homes. The review of the National Planning Policy Framework is a great opportunity to emphasise this so we want to see a new draft give much stronger instruction on how Local Planning Authorities should address the needs of disabled people and, in particular, wheelchair users.”

For further comment and enquiries, please contact Christina McGill, Director of Social Impact and External Affairs, on 07809 420 075.