Responding to Housing Standards Review on Access

22 October is the deadline for responses to the Department for Communities and Local Government consultation on reform of housing standards for new homes.

With our growing older population, mainstream housing will continue to be an important option for older people for decades to come, so creating new housing that meets the varying need of occupants of different age groups (as is the vision of Lifetime Homes) remains critical.

The proposed new standards include many technical parallels to the current Lifetime Homes standard (within the new Level 2 specification). However at Habinteg we're concerned that the overall proposals may not help increase the supply of accessible homes needed unless cost benefits are properly assessed, planning authorities are given direction to prioritise accessible housing and regulation is robust.

You can read our draft technical and policy responses at: www.habinteg.org.uk/responses I've also attached a summary draft to this post.

We are urging all those with an interest in accessible homes to give their views to the before the deadline. The full Housing Standards consultation can be downloaded from DCLG here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/230250/1-_Housing_Standards_Review_-_Consultation_Document.pdf

We're also interested in hearing from you as we finalise Habinteg's own consultation response. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question on our draft contributions, please email us on [log in to view email address]