Annette Brooke MP Calls For End To Housing Inequality For Disabled People

5.48.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 8th Jun 2005

Annette supports call to end housing inequality for disabled people

The Government should require all regional housing boards to build at least 10 per cent of new houses to wheelchair standard, according to Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole, and the disability charity John Grooms. A 300,000 shortfall of wheelchair accessible homes (see note 1) means that many disabled people are forced to live in cramped, unsuitable and imprisoning conditions which severely limit their life opportunities.

At present, at least 1.4 million people in England have a medical condition or disability which requires specially adapted housing. A quarter continue to live in unsuitable accommodation (see note 2).

Tim Fallon, Chief Executive of the John Grooms Housing Association, said: "When you can't get in and out of your own front door, or cook a meal in your own kitchen, or get into your bedroom to sleep at night, because nothing is built with your needs in mind, your home becomes more like a prison cell. This inequality for disabled people must be stopped."

Cross party support for the disability charity John Grooms' campaign, entitled "End the lucky dip; Build for equality", is growing in Westminster.

Annette Brooke MP says "The Government should now set the proposed 10 per cent target. This will help ensure the housing needs of disabled people are met." She has also signed the House of Commons motion (Early Day Motion 80 "Wheelchair accessible housing") which calls for the 10% rule.

Though the Disability Discrimination Act (2005) introduces legal requirements to make public buildings and business services accessible to disabled people, it says nothing about new housing.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

(1) The findings of a two year inquiry, published by John Grooms in 2003, show that disabled people wait disproportionately long for suitable housing and that insufficient commitment is given to their housing needs, resulting in a shortfall of more than 300,000 accessible homes. The inquiry also found that there had been an unprecedented 28 per cent increase in disability in the previous 20 years as more people survive accidents and illnesses.

(2) The survey of English Housing 2003/4, published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, found that 1.4 million people in England have a medical condition or disability which requires specially adapted accommodation - the majority are older people. 23 per cent live in accommodation which is unsuitable ie more than 320,000 people.