Independent lives and the relevance of lifetime homes

Abstract

A problem for disabled people, particularly individuals dependent on the use of a wheelchair, is housing that is not easily usable due to physical barriers. A proposed solution by government is the adoption of lifetime homes (LTH) standards that are likely to become mandatory for all newly constructed dwellings in the private sector in England by 2008. It is, therefore, an appropriate time to take stock of LTH standards, and to evaluate to what extent they are able to address the problems for disabled people caused by physically inaccessible housing. In doing so, the article provides a critique of LTH standards, and suggests that while they are, in some respects, a positive development, they are not, in and of themselves, a panacea in relation to rectifying the shortfall of accessible dwellings.

Notes

1. However, it should be noted that there is evidence that some of the LTH standards may not be adopted in the revised version of Part M. In evidence submitted to the ODPM’s Building Regulations Advisory Committee, a builder noted that ‘13 out of the 16 LHS are not a problem for new housing’ (ODPM, 2004). It was noted that ‘the Working Party should concentrate on the “easier” standards before considering the trickier ones’, the entrance level access WC and shower (no.10 in the Paper MWP (04)P2), the stair lift or lift through the floor (no. 12) – a problem for homes with concrete floors – and living room and bed‐space on the entrance level (nos. 8 and 9) – a real problem for town houses’. From this, it seems that the revised Part M will not really incorporate the main provisions of LTHs.

2. BS8300 is a code of practice for the design of new buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people. It was produced by ‘British Standards’, the national standards organisation, and is designed for voluntary use and does not impose any regulation (see http://www.bsi‐global.com/British_Standards/).

3. The working party includes, amongst others, the following individuals: David Bonnett, DB Architects; Michelle Brannon, London Borough of Camden; Caitriona Carroll, JRF; Jonathan Chapman, Environment Agency; Clive Clowes, Housing Corporation; Gillian Connor, Age Concern England; Geoff Cook, University of Reading; Julie Cowans, JRF; Mike Donnelly, Habinteg Housing Association; Sandra Duncan, ODPM; Michael Finn, Barratts plc; Julie Fleck, Greater London Authority; Rob Imrie, University of London; Mike Johnson, ODPM; Chris Mills, National House Building Council; David Petherick, ODPM; Mike Roys, Building Research Establishment; Andrew Senatore, Countryside Properties; Andrew Shipley, Disability Rights Commission; John Slaughter, House Builders Federation; Mike Wright, Building Research Establishment.