Charities and housing organisations call on public to back proposals for better homes

Logo_HoME

As part of The Housing Made for Everyone (HoME) coalition, we have produced a guide and are calling for urgent action to tackle the UK's accessible housing crisis by raising the mandatory building standards.

In particular, to make the 'accessible and adaptable' design standard the mandatory baseline for all new homes (set out in Building Regulations M4 Category 2). 

Did you know?

  • Currently, 91% of homes do not provide the four access features for even the lowest level of accessibility - a home that is 'visitable'
  • One in five (22%) adults aged 65-69 need help with one or more activities of daily living (such as bathing, cooking or using the toilet unaided). By the time people reach their 80s, this figure rises to more than half (56%).
  • Only one new accessible home is planned for every 15 people over 65 by 2030, and
  • Around 400,000 wheelchair users are estimated to be living in homes that are neither adapted nor accessible/visitable

The government is consulting now  (opens new window)on options to make new homes in England more accessible for older and disabled people. The deadline is 1 December 2020. Join us in having your say.

To help you respond, the HoME coalition have prepared this guide and template to help you respond to this important consultation. The accompanying online HoME coalition resource space  (opens new window)provides background information and your suggested responses.