Charity warns UK is on the verge of an “accessible housing crisis” and cries out for a radical housing policy overhaul

New research, carried out by the Centre for Ageing Better, has revealed that most Britons want homes to suit all ages and abilities and has warned of a potential accessible housing crisis.

Polling over 4,000 UK adults, Ageing Better found that most people want every new home to be built in a way which is suitable for all people of all ages and abilities. Nearly three quarters of people polled by YouGov agreed that homes should as standard be built to be suitable for people of all ages and abilities, while nearly half disagreed that UK society does enough to support people to live at home safely and independently as we age.

The research also illustrates the degree to which people would be happy to buy a home which came with features like level access entrances, walk-in showers or handrails. 33 percent of those polled said they would be encouraged to purchase a home with these characteristics, with a further 48 percent saying they would be neither encouraged nor discouraged.

Amongst younger people, there is a large market for these homes, according to the poll. A quarter of 18-24s and 28 percent of 25-34s said they would be encouraged to buy them, with around half saying they would be neither encouraged nor discouraged.

While national rules say a proportion of every development should include homes which are accessible or could be adapted in future, the responsibility for managing this falls to local authorities. However, the charity outlines that national planning policy is fragmented, with no clear guidance, and there is no standardised way to assess current and future need for accessible homes in an area. Local plans which would deliver accessible homes are often rejected, Ageing Better added.

More than three in five respondents said that they don’t think their current home would be suitable for a person with a disability or an older relative to move around. Amongst over-65s, nearly half personally worry about struggling with everyday activities like cooking, bathing or eating in the future and 32 percent worry about whether someone else in their household would struggle with the same tasks.

According to the English Housing Survey, just seven percent of UK homes meet basic accessibility standards. One in five homes in England is deemed non-decent, with non-decent homes disproportionately lived in by people in later life – many of whom manage long-term health conditions or disabilities. New-build homes are often aimed solely at first-time buyers and do not consider the needs of a diverse range of occupants over the lifetime of the home.

In light of this, the Centre for Ageing Better is calling for a radical overhaul of housing policy, aimed at delivering accessible homes which are age-proof, flexible and suitable for everyone.

The charity believes that developers and councils should be required to build every new home to Category 2 standard, meaning that they are accessible for someone with a disability and, if needed, can be easily and cost-effectively adapted to meet additional needs.

Dr Anna Dixon, Chief Executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “The woeful state of today’s housing stock is amongst the worst in Europe. With more and more people living for longer, and many of them managing health conditions, this situation is unsustainable. We are facing an accessible housing crisis, putting unnecessary pressure on individuals, families and public services. If we do nothing, this will only get worse.

“There is a big market for homes that everyone can live in, regardless of their age or ability. Our research shows a strong public appetite for age-proof homes which enable people to live active and fulfilling lives – whatever their situation.

“We need everyone responsible for building new homes to get on board and give people what they want. National rules must be strengthened, and planners within local authorities must work with developers and builders to enforce them. As we seek to build more homes, we must make sure that they are suitable for everyone.”