Commons committee launches inquiry on housing for people with disabilities

The House of Commons levelling up, housing and communities committee has launched an inquiry looking at what the government can do to ensure disabled people have access to accessible and adaptable housing in England.

The inquiry will examine the role of government, local councils and developers in ensuring the delivery of suitable housing for disabled people and what the government can do to support disabled tenants in the private rented sector in England.

The committee will also be looking at the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and whether it ensures housebuilding complies with the Equality Act 2010.

The inquiry intends to examine the progress made since last summer’s publication of the findings of the government’s consultation titled ‘Raising accessibility standards for new homes’.

Committee chair Clive Betts 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. We’re also keen to explore the role of government, local councils and developers in delivering suitable housing for people with disabilities and what the government can do to support disabled tenants in the private rented sector in England.’

The Committee will also be looking at how far the government can ensure it provides provision to support disabled residents who do not live in new build homes and whether the Disabled Facilities Grant supports housing adaptations.

Evidence sessions for this inquiry are likely to begin in late 2023. The closing date for submissions is 21st September.

The inquiry will focus on the following questions:

• What can the government do to ensure disabled residents across England have access to accessible and adaptable housing?
• Does the National Planning Policy Framework ensure the Equality Act 2010 is complied with when building housing?
• Since the government consultation ‘Raising accessibility standards for new homes’ (July 2022), what has been done to improve housing provisions for disabled residents in England? And has it been sufficient?
• What role should the government, councils and developers have for ensuring the delivery of suitable housing for disabled people?
• Does the Disabled Facilities Grant fully support housing adaptations?
• How can the government ensure it makes sufficient provision to support disabled residents who do not live in new-build homes?
• What can the government do to support disabled tenants in the private rented sector?

Images: ZACHARY STAINES and Romain Virtuel