Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the campaign by Contact for a decent home for every disabled child; and what plans they have (1) to build more (a) accessible, and (b) affordable, social housing, and (2) to give greater priority to families with disabled children needing housing.

The Government has consulted on raising accessibility standards of new homes recognising the importance of suitable homes for disabled people. The consultation considered whether a change could be made to the existing standards by either mandating a higher standard or reconsidering the way existing optional standards are used. The Government will publish a response as soon as possible.

Since 2010, the Government has invested over £4 billion into the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to contribute to the cost of home adaptations for eligible people, including disabled children, to help them live independently and safely. While the grant is means tested, children and young people aged 17 and under are exempt from this means test to help them receive the adaptations they need. In addition, local authorities are responsible for allocating social housing through schemes they set locally. These are governed by a framework of rules set by central government which ensure social housing is prioritised for those in housing need, including disabled people.

We’re building more affordable housing. Our new £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme will provide up to 180,000 new homes across the country, should economic conditions allow. 10% of delivery will be for much needed specialist and supported housing. This builds upon the success of our £9 billion Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme, running to 2023, which will deliver approximately 250,000 new affordable homes.