Disabled people in the housing sector

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 24 Jul 2023 Closed: 28 May 2024 Parliament page
This 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 … Read more
11 Recommendations
7 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
2 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 8 events
6 Mar
2025
Report published
24 May
2024
Report published
16 Apr
2024
Correspondence
18 Mar
2024
Oral evidence
18 Mar
2024
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
5 Feb
2024
Oral evidence
5 Feb
2024
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
8 Nov
2023
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
18 Mar 2024
View on parliament.uk
Oral Evidence
Felicity Buchan · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Philip White · Building Safety Regulator William Burgon · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
5 Feb 2024
View on parliament.uk
Oral Evidence
Adrian Dobson · Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Christina McGill · HoME coalition (Housing Made for Everyone) Mikey Erhardt · Disability Rights UK Mr Timothy Douglas · Propertymark Ms Jacquel Runnalls · Royal College of Occupational Therapist’s (RCOT) Specialist Section in Housing Sam Stafford · Home Builders Federation Victor Chamberlain · Local Government Association (LGA)
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventh Report - Disabled people in the housing sector HC 63 24 May 2024 18 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Seventh Report - Disabled people i…
Prioritise disability inclusion and address housing barriers faced by disabled people
Disabled people are not a homogeneous group with a single set of housing needs. Rather, Government policy must seek to address the many barriers which disabled individuals face, which vary widely. Too often too many disabled people are failed by … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges that disabled people should not face barriers to suitable accommodation and commits to working with local authorities and the housing sector to address key challenges, stating that ministers will ensure housing policy addresses these needs.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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2 Recommendation Acknowledged
Seventh Report - Disabled people i…
Take action based on heard concerns regarding disabled people’s housing needs
We have found little evidence that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is fully recognising the housing needs of disabled people, let alone treating disabled people’s needs as a priority in housing policy. In particular, it is deeply … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the challenges disabled people face regarding housing accessibility and states it intends to set out its policies on the accessibility of new homes in the near future, providing details about a necessary technical consultation at that time.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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3 Conclusion Acknowledged
Seventh Report - Disabled people i…
Little progress made implementing mandatory M4(2) accessibility standard for new build homes.
We welcome the Government’s announcement that it intends to make the M4(2) accessibility standard mandatory for all new build homes. This amendment to building regulations is an important policy change which will greatly increase the availability of accessible homes for … Read more
Government Response
The government states the revised National Planning Policy Framework (published December 2024) requires local authorities to assess housing needs for disabled people, and it will set out its policies on new home accessibility 'in due course'.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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14 Recommendation Acknowledged
Seventh Report - Disabled people i…
Reform the DFG means test to introduce gradual tapering of personal contributions for working disabled people.
Whilst we recognise the need for the DFG means test to be a well-evidenced process, the current DFG means test is unnecessarily complex and leads many applicants to drop out of the DFG process entirely. We are also concerned that … Read more
Government Response
The government notes the recommendations, highlights local authorities' existing flexibility to address the issue, and states it will continue to keep different aspects of the DFG means test under consideration.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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Government Response AI assessment · 18 of 11 classified
Accepted 4
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 9
Rejected 1
Total 11 recs + 7 conclusions
Correspondence 2 letters
16 Apr 2024 To committee Letter from the Minister for Housing and Homelessness dated 4 April 2024 following up evidence given before the Committee on 18 March
Parliament page
8 Nov 2023 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning concerning disabled people in the housing sector, dated 28 September 2023
Parliament page