Anna Gross’s article “Sunak tilts housing drive to inner cities to meet 1mn new homes pledge” (Report, July 24) once again raises the question regarding the shortage of accessible homes in the UK. Despite the government’s announcement in July last year that it would raise the accessibility standard for new homes, we are still waiting for the consultation on the implementation of these plans, four years following the Conservative manifesto pledge.
The announcement of new homes being built is to be welcomed, providing that these homes are fit for purpose — and as stated in the new 10-point plan are “safe, decent and warm”. However, we know from government-commissioned reports that creating homes via permitted development rights is akin to building the slums of the future and certainly does not come anywhere close to addressing the needs of disabled and older people in this country.
The UK builds more than 13,000 homes a month, but very few of them meet the accessibility criteria that are vital to ensure disabled and older people can live with dignity and independence. With a quarter of the population projected to be over 65 in less than 20 years, we are accumulating an accessibility debt that will burden taxpayers for generations to come.
We urge the government to take swift action and implement its commitment to accessible, adaptable housing without delay. The clock is ticking.
Dr Carole Easton OBE
Chief Executive Centre for Ageing Better
London WC1E, UK
Nick Apetroaie
Chief Executive
Habinteg Housing Association
Bradford, UK
