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Today Age UK and Habinteg release a new campaigning factsheet, which calls for all new homes to be built to higher accessibility standards. There are currently 6.5 million people with mobility problems and 13.9 million disabled people in the UK and unless homes become more adaptable, future generations will be forced to ‘make do’ in homes that fail to meet their needs.

A keen gardener is able to use her green fingers for the first time in ten years thanks to her brand new wheelchair accessible home. Her home is one of three new properties developed by Habinteg, a leading provider of accessible homes, in partnership with Hull City Council that are suitable for the needs of disabled people.

My experience has taught me the importance of accessible housing. It is time for politicians to act, writes Delores Taylor

Accessible homes are vital to enable older and disabled people to live safely and independently. Habinteg’s recent accessible homes forecast revealed that less than half of all planning authorities have set requirements for new homes to meet higher accessibility standards. This is why Habinteg welcomes the government’s guidance published last week on housing for older and disabled people, including advice for councils in preparing their planning policies. 

Responding to Theresa May’s announcement of a new consultation on the accessibility of new homes released on 25 June, Sheron Carter, CEO of Habinteg said: “We are extremely pleased that the Prime Minister has announced this important consultation on improving the accessibility of all new homes. Currently only 7% of homes in England have even the most basic access features so we really need all new housing to offer good levels of accessibility and adaptability if we’re to get anywhere near meeting the needs of our whole population. Too many disabled and older people are making do in homes that are just not suitable for them.