The Cabinet Office Disability Unit opens consultation on Disability Action Plan

The Government has this week opened its consultation to the 2023-2024 Disability Action Plan. There are several key actions relating to housing, technology and care on the plan and you can have your say by 6 October.

Of particular interest to Housing LIN members will be some of the following references to:

• the Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund, as set out in the Adult Social Care Reform White Paper, to incentivise the supply of supported housing for older people and adults with a physical or learning disability, autism, or mental ill-health
• the publication of the Building the Right Support Action Plan (opens new window), which aims to reduce the number of autistic people and people with a learning disability in mental health hospitals
• the new model of shared ownership available to disabled people buying a home under the Home Ownership for People with Long-Term Disabilities (HOLD) scheme
• carry out further research into fire safety in specialised housing and care homes
• commissioning research to assess the size, cost and demand of the supported housing sector
• the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill (now Act) which includes a requirement for local authorities to publish local supported housing strategies, including an assessment of existing availability and the likely future need for supported housing
• providing guidance for councils on options they should consider, such as housing with improved accessibility, to enable older and disabled people to live more safely and independently 
• raising the profile of assistive technology and creating an assistive and accessible technology champion’s role
• continuing investment of £500m into Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) and also providing £102 million over 2 years for smaller adaptations, minor repairs and practical advice for local areas to complement the DFG
• working with the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agents Team to voluntarily add accessibility categories to material listings for properties being let or sold on the private market
• and, importantly, updating building regulations guidance to improve accessibility and inclusive design for buildings other than dwellings, consulting further on technical changes needed to mandate the higher M4(2) accessibility standard, changes to statutory guidance, and how exceptions will apply