BBK Manifesto: Build accessible homes
BBK is calling for a change in national policy to ensure new homes are built to accessible and adaptable standards as research shows the UK’s housing stock is not fit for injured people.
Local councils across the country should require new developers to produce a certain proportion of accessible and wheelchair-accessible homes, we believe.
According to a YouGov poll commissioned by Habinteg, only one in five people say a wheelchair user would have access to all areas of their home. The research found 91% of homes do not even provide the four main features to be considered ‘visitable’. An investigation by the BBC found major UK cities are failing to plan for any wheelchair-accessible homes.
In 2022 the Government confirmed plans to raise minimum accessibility requirements, however this still does not go far enough. The plan, announced in July 2022, means homes would be more spacious and offer wheelchair access into all the rooms. However, even these raised standards would still need greater adaptations for wheelchair users to be able to live there. This includes access level showers and stairlifts.
Whilst there is funding available through the UK Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), which has been significantly increased over the last five years, the grant is dependent on income. This leaves many working disabled people ineligible and facing the cost alone.
It is vital whoever wins the 2024 General Election should prioritise building accessible homes. This would not only benefit injured people but also the UK’s ageing population.
This blog is part of our #ChampioningChange Campaign, specifically, Bolt Burdon Kemp LLP’s 2024 Manifesto for Injured People. In this campaign we call for politicians and candidates to prioritise injured people as they go into the 2024 General Election. This work is informed by our clients’ experiences and our partnerships with charities which support our clients and others like them. If you would like to read more about our full manifesto you can do so here.
