Housing Design Needs of neurodivergent residents and residents with learning disabilities in Newham: Design Guide

This Housing Design Guide for neurodivergent people and those with learning disabilities in Newham contributes to creating more inclusive and supportive living environments. Undertaken by The Occupational Therapy Service [TOTS] for Newham Council, it should be read alongside the council’s housing needs report, and suggests design strategies that can address key issues of concern for these residents including location and connectivity; enhanced safety and security; space and layout; sensory processing, and enhanced durability.

The Guide highlights the factors to consider when designing homes that can enhance the quality of life and make it easier to provide care and support for these residents. The guidance set out in this document is the outcome of a project by TOTS in the context of their current planning aspirations that aim to build between 53,194 and 54,976 2 new homes between 2023 and 2038.

The Guide identifies good practice, grouped under five themes that emerged from the research: They are,

• Location and connectivity: Access to services, and managing housing near busy roads that present safety and sensory overload issues
• Safety and security: Addressing risks around cookers, windows, and balconies, as well as other sensory stimuli in the house such as water
• Flexibility of space and layout: Managing how noise, food odours, visual clutter, and close proximity to others requires a “safe retreat”
• Durability: Managing the impact of sensory-seeking, repetitive behaviours -such as pacing and picking at walls – by using robust and durable materials
• Sensory processing: Mitigating sounds, such as noise from neighbouring homes, traffic or repetitive behaviours (pacing, banging, and shouting).