The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee launches an
inquiry looking at what 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
the publication of the
findings (in July 2022) of the Government’s consultation
titled ‘Raising accessibility standards for new homes’.
The key questions for the inquiry are included in the
full terms of reference (which are listed further
below).
, Chair of the Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities Committee, 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.
Disabled people in the housing sector – inquiry terms of
reference
The Committee welcomes written evidence [include link] on the
terms of reference outlined below.
The closing date for submissions is Thursday 21
September.
- 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, Local Authorities 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 provides sufficient
provisions 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?
