Habinteg's Insight Group

The Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
2 Marsham Street

London

SW1P 4DF

11^th June 2026

 

Dear Secretary of State

We are writing to you as Habinteg’s Insight Group, a collective of disabled people, housing professionals, and allies campaigning for accessible housing.

The Insight Group is supported by Habinteg, which has championed housing equality for over 50 years, providing over 3,300 accessible homes across more than 80 local authorities while driving policy change for a more inclusive society. Our campaign, Connected by Design – The Fight for Accessible Homes, is dedicated to ensuring that all new homes are truly inclusive and fit for the future, starting with the 1.5 million promised by this government.

While we welcome the government’s ambitious target to deliver 1.5 million new homes, we are writing to express our profound concern regarding the current National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) proposals. Specifically, the suggestion of a 40% threshold for M4(2) accessible and adaptable standards is a significant step backward that risks building the care crisis of tomorrow.

A missed opportunity for a national baseline
In July 2022, following extensive consultation, the previous government committed to making M4(2) the mandatory baseline for all new homes through Building Regulations. This was a landmark decision that recognised accessibility as good design, not a specialist extra. By pivoting to a 40% threshold within the NPPF, the current proposals effectively suggest that 60% of new homes can continue to be built to an inaccessible standard.

We therefore believe that the M4(2) accessible and adaptable standard should be incorporated into Building Regulations as the minimum accessibility requirement, with a specified percentage of new homes built to the M4(3) wheelchair user standard.

The economic and social imperative
This is an opportunity for this government to demonstrate its commitment to long-term fiscal responsibility and social equity.

Preventing the social care deficit: It is significantly more cost-effective to build to M4(2) standards from the outset than to retrospectively adapt homes. Accessible housing directly intervenes in the spiralling costs of adult social care and the NHS, 

• reducing delayed hospital discharges and allowing an ageing population to remain independent for longer.
• Ending the postcode lottery: Accessibility should not be a matter of local planning negotiations. Re-committing to the 2022 ambition of a 100% national accessibility minimum of M4(2) accessible and adaptable homes via Building Regulations creates a level playing field for developers and ensures that every new home, regardless of location, is fit for a lifetime.
• Unlock independence and growth for millions of disabled people: Working age disabled people living in an accessible home are four times more likely to be in employment than those living in unsuitable accommodation. A job provides security, confidence and social inclusion for an individual, and it also helps reduces long-term government spending, while giving individuals the opportunity to contribute to the economy.

Everyone deserves a home they can live in safely and independently. That is why Building Regulations must be strengthened to make M4(2) accessible and adaptable homes the minimum standard for all new housing, including buildings converted to residential use. Without this change, we will continue to build homes that fail to meet the needs of an ageing population and disabled people.

At the same time, a meaningful proportion of all new homes must meet the M4(3) wheelchair user standard to tackle the chronic shortage of truly accessible housing. Accessibility should not be treated as an optional extra - it is a basic requirement for fair, inclusive and future-ready communities.

A political legacy of common sense
Decisive action now will prevent future generations from looking back at this 1.5-million-home surge as a missed opportunity that locked millions of disabled and older people out of the housing market. By mandating a 100% M4(2) baseline, supplemented by local targets for M4(3) wheelchair-user homes, your department can deliver a housing stock that is truly "built to last."

This is a rare moment where a single policy change can simultaneously drive economic efficiency, restore dignity to millions, and secure a positive, lasting political legacy.

We and the 8 undersigned organisations urge the government to honour the 2022 commitment and implement the M4(2) mandatory baseline without further delay. We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how our Connected by Design objectives can support the government’s wider housing mission.

Yours sincerely,

The Insight Group
Martin Warhurst, Chief Executive Officer

Supported by:

Carole Easton, Chief Executive (Centre for Ageing Better)

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director (Age UK)

Dharshana Sridhar, Head of Public Affairs (Spinal Injuries Association)

Fazilet Hadi, Head of Policy (Disability Rights UK)

Joseph Jones, Interim Coordinator (London Tenants Federation)

Karin Orman – Director of Practice, Innovation and Advocacy (Royal College of Occupational Therapists)

Laura Wood, Head of Influence and Innovation (PROCare)

Lord Richard Best OBE DL (Member of The House of Lords)

Richard Evans, Director of Engagement (Motor Neurone Disease Association)

Rick Burgess, Development Lead (Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People)

Samuel Cornelius-Light, Research and Campaigns Officer (Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance)

Kerry Thompson (Insight Group)

Tanvi Vyas (Insight Group)

Karen Hoe (Insight Group)

Helen Dudden (Insight Group)

Luis Canto E-Castro (Insight Group)

Kim Smith (Insight Group)

Faye Medcalf (Insight Group)

Claire Astbury (Insight Group)

Nikki Hades (Insight Group)

Harry Gable (Insight Group)

Lorraine Stanley (Insight Group)

Andrew Gadd (Insight Group)

Katherine Dutson (Insight Group)

Mik Scarlet (Insight Group)

Carl Suckling (Insight Group)

Chris Hicken (Insight Group)

Georgina Wilson Cousins (Insight Group)

Alan Bullion (Insight Group)

Balkar Thind (Insight Group)

Mike Nevin (Insight Group)

Ready to raise your voice and drive real change?

Passionate about equality? Believe everyone deserves a home that truly works for them?
If you’ve got lived experience of accessible housing, a professional passionate about accessible housing or you’re a confident communicator with a story to tell, we want you on our INSIGHT GROUP panel of campaigners!

Ready to raise your voice and drive real change?

Passionate about equality? Believe everyone deserves a home that truly works for them?
If you’ve got lived experience of accessible housing, a professional passionate about accessible housing or you’re a confident communicator with a story to tell, we want you on our INSIGHT GROUP panel of campaigners!

Who can join?

Anyone with insight, energy and commitment. You don’t need to be a Habinteg tenant, we’re building a group as diverse as the communities we serve. Whether you’ve personally needed an accessible home or you bring a professional perspective, your voice can help drive the movement forward.

What will you do?

There are loads of exciting ways to get involved, including:

• Sharing your story in media articles
• Joining online group sessions to shape campaign ideas
• Supporting our #ForAccessibleHomes Week and Connected by Design – The Fight for Accessible Homes campaign events and webinars
• Getting active in the accessible homes conversation on social media
• Featuring in videos, case studies or photo shoots
• Engaging your local MP/councillors or helping with parliamentary and local government advocacy

Whatever your strengths, there’s a way for you to make an impact.

Want to join us?

Just fill out the form below and tell us why you’d be a great fit.
Prefer to chat first? Get in touch with Halima Yusuf at hyusuf@habinteg.org.uk or 0300 365 3100 for an informal conversation.

Register your interest

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