NARPO has signed a joint letter calling for more accessible housing in order to support people with accessible-housing needs. The letter, published in The Guardian, encourages local authorities, developers, planners and builders to consider accessibility as a fundamental design principle when building new communities and housing developments. We hope everyone will add their voice to the call for supply to meet demand.
Read the full letter below.
Britain’s population continues to expand and age, and in Britain the number of people with accessible-housing needs exceeds 11.9 million. Many of these people are waiting for an appropriate standard of accommodation which will allow them to live independently. With less than a third of planning authorities displaying a commitment to any type of accessible homes in their local plans, this problem will only increase.
As housing and service providers, we have identified that the lack of accessibility not only impacts personal independence. It can have a knock-on effect in terms of social inclusion, employment and maintaining good physical and mental health.
With the number of new communities and housing developments being planned in Britain, we encourage local authorities, developers, planners and builders to consider accessibility as a fundamental design principle.
Accessible housing is a national issue and concerns everyone. We are all ageing. Inevitably, a proportion of us will need some form of adaptation, assistive technology or accessible features to support us through changing life circumstances. Everyone has a stake in the provision of accessible homes. We hope everyone will add their voice to the call for supply to meet demand
Sheron Carter Chief executive, Habinteg Housing, David Orr Chief executive, National Housing Federation, Terrie Alafat Chief executive, Chartered Institute of Housing, Caroline Abrahams Charity director, Age UK, Kate HendersonChief executive, Town and Country Planning Association, Anna Dixon Chief executive, Centre for Ageing Better, Sue Adams Chief executive, Care and Repair England, David Sinclair Director, International Longevity Centre,Jeremy Porteus Chief executive, Housing LIN, Malcolm Booth Chief executive, National Federation Of Occupational Pensioners, Mike Duggan General secretary, Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance, Steve Edwards Chief executive, National Association of Retired Police Officers, Kamran Mallick Chief executive, Disability Rights UK
Click here to see the published letter on The Guardian website