Welcome confirmation of accessible housing consultation published via Autumn Spending Round | Latest news

Welcome confirmation of accessible housing consultation published via Autumn Spending Round

The Spending Round 2019, presented by the Chancellor Sajid Javid on 4 September 2019  confirmed that the MHCLG will consult on mandatory accessible housing standards.

Although not explicitly itemised in the spending announcements, Paragraph B.9 of the Equality Impact assessment states “Decisions made in this Spending Round have considered the possible impact on people with a disability. This has been reflected in the spending allocations, for instance… MHCLG will consult on mandatory accessible housing standards in building regulations, ensuring new properties are built with good accessibility standards to reflect the needs of older and disabled people.

Responding to the publication of the document, Sheron Carter, CEO of Habinteg, said:

“Following the Chancellor’s Autumn Spending Review, (published 4 September 2019) we are pleased to note that the document’s Equality Impact Statement has reinforced the Government’s commitment to hold a consultation on mandatory accessible housing standards in building regulations. 

“This consultation reflects our long standing call for all new homes to have higher access standards. This restated commitment to the consultation shows us that the vital issue of accessible housing is not being left off the agenda and continues to signal to the sector the importance of delivering appropriate housing for older and disabled people. 

“Our recent Insight Report: A forecast for accessible homes revealed a huge postcode lottery in the planned supply of new accessible homes. So it’s now more crucial than ever that we set a national policy that will create a level playing field and more certainty for developers. 

“We look forward to further details on the consultation but hope consultation swiftly moves to action to improve the design standard for all new homes”