Habinteg submits a policy response to the Treasury | Policy blog

This submission makes the case for funding and policy steps to increase delivery of new homes built to accessible standards.

Currently only 9% of homes in England are considered even visitable by a wide range of people including wheelchair users.

In all regions disabled people face inequality and barriers in finding appropriate housing.

It is imperative that all 1.5 million new homes are built to standards that will meet the needs of the ageing population and growing numbers of disabled people. Tackling the accessible homes deficit will benefit public spending as well as the health, wellbeing and financial position of individual households.

Homes built to higher accessibility standards require fewer adaptations and are easier to adapt when the need arises, easing pressure on DFG and council funds.

By enabling independence accessible dwellings can reduce or remove the need for domiciliary care at an average cost of £18-20 per hour, and they can reduce the length of time that it takes to discharge patients from hospital (£345 per night).

An accessible home that supports independence can remove or delay a move to residential care with average cost saving of £970 per week.

Working age disabled people with accessible homes are four times more likely to be in employment and households where there is reduced need for unpaid care are more likely to be economically active.

Failing to address standards now will create a wave of new homes with built-in barriers that are costly to both the state and their occupants. 

Download the Habinteg budget submission 2025.pdf[269KB