In our lifetime, homes for all

Recent research by Papworth Trust and Habinteg has revealed that the housing needs of 1.8 million disabled people aren't being met. The Hidden Housing Market (opens new window) report and papers by the LSE and Ipsos Mori highlight the demand for accessible housing to rent and buy, challenges assumptions about the potential for disabled people to buy their own home and sheds light on the wider appeal of homes that deliver higher quality accessible features.

Paul Gamble, Habinteg's Chief Executive said:

"Building more accessible homes is a fundamental part of future-proofing the housing market, with a short term investment and a long term positive social impact on other services."

And hot on the heels of this important research, new evidence from Habinteg shows councils lack plans to meet accessible housing demand. Information obtained by freedom of information (FoI) requests returned by 266 councils (82% of English local authorities) revealed that just 3% of English local authorities outside London have policies to deliver and monitor the number of accessible homes built.

Based on the FoI results, Habinteg have released an interactive map that indicate those Councils that have no Lifetime Home policies; those that have some good policies; those who did not respond to the request, and those that have very good Lifetime Home policies. The data can be viewed at: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1fI_VcZySZ0InN7GR6nnPfG4XaHE (opens new window)

For more information on Lifetime Homes, visit the Housing LIN's design hub at: