The government’s role in ensuring people with disabilities in England can access homes suitable to their needs is being questioned by a committee of MPs.
In a new inquiry, the Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (LUHC) Committee aims to examine the role of the government – along with local councils and developers – in ensuring the delivery of accessible and adaptable housing.
It will also ask what the government can do to support disabled tenants in England’s private rented sector.
A key focus will be on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and whether it ensures that housebuilding complies with the Equality Act 2010.
Furthermore, the inquiry will examine progress made since the government published the findings in July 2022 of a consultation on raising accessibility standards for new homes.
The committee will also ask what the government can do to ensure suitable provision to support disabled residents who do not live in newbuild homes, looking at the Disabled Facilities Grant and whether it supports housing adaptations.
Clive Betts, the committee’s chair, said: “Many people with disabilities will be living in homes that are neither adapted nor accessible.
“This might apply to those seeking social housing because they or their immediate family members have a disability, or they might be wishing to buy, or rent privately, and cannot find housing that’s suitable for their disability-related needs.
“We want to examine what government can do to ensure disabled residents have access to accessible and adaptable housing in England and how far the planning system is helping to deliver suitable homes.”
Evidence sessions are “likely” to begin in late 2023. The closing date for submitting written evidence is Thursday, 21 September.
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