{"id":71340,"date":"2020-02-06T11:59:56","date_gmt":"2020-02-06T11:59:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=71340"},"modified":"2020-02-06T11:59:57","modified_gmt":"2020-02-06T11:59:57","slug":"accessible-housing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/planning-construction-news\/accessible-housing\/71340\/","title":{"rendered":"HoME: New coalition to tackle the accessible housing \u201ctimebomb\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new coalition of campaigning organisations and housing associations are demanding action to ensure all new homes are accessible and adaptable<\/h2>\n

November saw the launch of a new coalition<\/a> of high-profile housing organisations calling for action to defuse a \u201ctimebomb\u201d in the provision of accessible housing for the UK\u2019s ageing population and people with disabilities.<\/p>\n

HoME (Housing Made for Everyone) is predicting a \u201cdangerous shortage\u201d of suitable homes in the future, with only one new accessible home to be built for every 15 people over the age of 65 by 2030.<\/p>\n

\"accessible<\/a><\/p>\n

In an open letter issued ahead of the General Election, HoME said housing is critical to people\u2019s health and wellbeing, yet only 7% of homes in England are currently accessible, meaning 93% lack even the most basic features to make them \u201cvisitable\u201d by disabled people.<\/p>\n

A lack of suitable housing will affect nearly everyone, it added. The number of households headed by someone over 65 will make up 88% of the total over the next 25 years and the design of homes will be critical to how society deals with this shifting age profile.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, analysis of 322 Local Plans<\/a> in England by Habinteg Housing found that the planned development of accessible housing is set to fall short of previous official predictions. Less than a quarter (23%) of new homes outside London are set to meet any optional access standards. Just 1% are set to be fully wheelchair accessible.<\/p>\n

\"accessible<\/a><\/p>\n

HoME warned that the lack of accessible housing provision will increase pressure on health and social services, as more and more people struggle in homes that are \u201cnot fit for purpose\u201d.<\/p>\n

Poor housing for over-55s already costs the NHS \u00a3624m a year, according to research by the BRE, with costs dominated by excess cold hazards and those associated with falls.<\/p>\n

\"accessible<\/a><\/p>\n

Without government action, the open letter warned, with the costs forecast to reach \u00a31bn per year by 2041.<\/p>\n

Building the right homes<\/h3>\n

With housebuilding being ramped up, HoME called for better standards in office-to-residential conversions and warned that accelerated planning or extending permitted development rights could result in yet more poor quality housing.<\/p>\n

It is calling for accessible, adaptable design standards set out in Building Regulations Vol 1, M4, Category 2, to be made a mandatory baseline for all new homes and, where need can be demonstrated, the government should make it easier for M4 Category 3 (wheelchair user dwellings) to be introduced to relevant planning policies.<\/p>\n

This, HoME said, will create a \u201clevel policy playing field\u201d across the country and certainty for developers, enabling them to build homes that will meet the future needs of an ageing population.<\/p>\n

HoME\u2019s seven-step charter is also calling for:<\/h4>\n