SIA Demands more Wheelchair Accessible Homes

The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) says government must commit to change or see thousands more disabled people become trapped in unsafe or unsuitable homes.

The national spinal cord injury charity has called on the government to pledge 150,000 wheelchair-accessible homes, which are currently not part of their promise to build 1.5million homes by 2029.

Currently without nationally mandated standards, accessibility depends on your postcode and that’s simply not good enough says the charity.

Last year, the government announced their plans to build 370,000 new homes a year, equalling 1.5million by 2029. However, wheelchair-accessible homes are not part of this plan, with this decision being left to local authorities, many of whom have no set targets, according to Habinteg Housing Association.

While adaptable homes have been set as the standard for new homes, it would require further time, money, and adaptations to make them suitable for wheelchair users. With 400,000 wheelchair users currently living in unsuitable homes, and long waiting lists, the need for fully adapted housing is urgent.

According to Habinteg Housing Association some are having to wait up to 47 years for a new built wheelchair-accessible home.

As the House of Lords entered their second day of debate of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, Spinal Injuries Association gathered at Parliament to call on the government to pledge 10% wheelchair-accessible homes to help ease the housing crisis for disabled people.

“Housing is not just about shelter but about enabling people to live their lives fully, safely, and with dignity,” stated the SIA on its social media.

“A home is the foundation of our lives, and we all should be able to live in a home that benefits our health and wellbeing.

“This is why SIA are facilitating a gathering of people with spinal cord injury and other disabilities to speak out and demand that the Planning and Infrastructure Bill must mandate that 10% of new build homes are wheelchair accessible within the National Planning Policy Framework.”

Picture caption: SIA members Dani Watts, Glyn Hayes, and Nathan Rollinson outside Parliament, demanding a legal right to accessible housing for all.