Up to 885,000 People Deprived of Accessible Home Opportunity Due to Government Delay

Samantha Fletcher

https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/885000-people-deprived-accessible-home-opportunity-due-government-delay

The HoME coalition—which includes Disability Rights UK, the Centre for Ageing Better, and Habinteg—warns that 885,000 people could have been living in accessible, adaptable homes if the government had implemented promised accessibility standards in new housing three years ago (by 29 July 2025) publications.parliament.uk+6disabilityrightsuk.org+6disabilityrightsuk.org+6. Only 112,000 homes built since then meet the proposed minimum M4(2) standard (step-free access and adaptability), while over 375,000 homes have failed to deliver those features publications.parliament.uk+4disabilityrightsuk.org+4ageing-better.org.uk+4. Public surveys show widespread concern: 66% feel they could struggle with everyday tasks in their current home if their health deteriorated, and 77% believe all new homes should enable independent living as people age or become disabled disabilityrightsuk.org+3ageing-better.org.uk+3propertysoup.co.uk+3. The article calls on the government to embed the M4(2) standard in upcoming legislation (e.g. the Planning and Infrastructure Bill) to help address the growing accessibility crisis and support disabled and older people in living independently youtube.com+6disabilityrightsuk.org+6propertysoup.co.uk+6.