Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 26
Little progress made implementing mandatory M4(2) accessibility standard for new build homes.
Conclusion
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 disabled people. However, we are deeply concerned that the Department has made little progress towards implementing this policy in practice.
Government Response Summary
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'.
Paragraph Reference:
26
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
10. This government published the revised National Planning Policy Framework on 12 December 2024. Local needs are community-specific, and that is why our revised Framework makes clear that it is for local authorities to assess the size, types and tenure of housing needed for different groups, including older people and those with disabilities. It also includes changes to promote the delivery of mixed-use sites, including housing designed for specific groups such as older people, and to ensure that local planning authorities are able to prioritise the types of affordable homes their communities need. We are determined to create a more diverse housing market; one that delivers homes quickly and responds to the needs of a range of communities. 11. As we have set out above, we will be setting out our policies on the accessibility of new homes in due course. LUHC Select Committee Report conclusion: We are concerned that most local authorities do not keep a register of the accessibility of their own housing stock, despite some disabled people living in temporary accommodation for years while waiting for accessible social housing.