Recent figures from the Centre for Ageing Better show that older people living in the North East or East Midlands are six times less likely to live in a fully accessible home compared to those in London.

With just one in eight homes (13%) in the UK meeting all four key accessibility standards, the Centre for Ageing Better has warned that progress on improving housing accessibility has "stalled", with little to no improvement over the past decade, despite growing demand. Although the number of people living with disabilities in England has increased by nearly five million over the past 13 years, the supply of fully accessible homes has failed to keep pace, leaving an accessibility shortfall affecting 12.8 million people.

Designed to Enable

Many of our clients face the challenge of leaving hospital or rehabilitation facilities following a serious injury. For these individuals and their loved ones, securing accessible, temporary rental accommodation is often a vital step in their recovery journey, particularly while they wait for their own home to be adapted, or for a new, suitable property to be built.

An accessible property at this stage is not a luxury, it is an essential part of enabling a safe, dignified, and independent recovery. We know that even the smallest adaptations, such as level access or the installation of grab rails, can make a life-changing difference to individuals living with disabilities.

However, the latest figures reveal that fewer than one in five homes (18%) in England have level access to the front door, and that figure falls even lower for those aged 75 and over. Features such as grab rails, stairlifts, ramps, and adapted bathrooms remain scarce.

The consequences of this shortage are significant. Inaccessible housing can leave individuals isolated, reliant on others, or even unable to leave hospital or rehabilitation facilities, delaying discharge, recovery, and long-term well-being

Planning and Infrastructure Bill

With the Planning and Infrastructure Bill currently progressing through Parliament, there is a vital opportunity to address this issue. The Government has been urged to make accessible, adaptable homes a cornerstone of future housing policy.

Steven Docker Associates

We provide a complete, bespoke service for individuals and families affected by life-changing injuries, combining architectural expertise with specialist property-finding services. From sourcing suitable rental accommodation to designing and building fully accessible, beautifully adapted homes, our focus is on creating spaces that truly meet individual needs.

Our goal on every project is to create an accessible home that is both functional and homely, supporting independence, recovery, and quality of life.

We work closely with individuals, families, legal teams, and care professionals to ensure every home, whether temporary or permanent, is a safe, comfortable, and empowering environment.

If you or someone you know needs expert support in finding or creating an accessible home, please contact Steven Docker Associates on 01477 544499 or email info@stevendocker.co.uk.