§ Miss BeggTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to increase the number of appropriate homes for people with physical disabilities. [142190]
§ Keith HillThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is increasing the number of appropriate homes for people with physical disabilities through adaptations to existing homes.
Through the Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) programme, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister continues to provide resources for local authorities to help disabled homeowners and tenants to pay for essential adaptations. Recently the level of funding has increased, giving authorities new, supplementary powers to help the disabled and issued draft guidance to local authorities to help them deliver a first class adaptations service.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is also increasing the number of appropriate homes for people with physical disabilities by ensuring newly built homes are accessible and convenient for everyone.
All newly built homes must meet the requirements of 'Part M' of the building regulations, which the Government revised in 1999 to improve the accessibility and convenience of new housing. The revised regulations include requirements to ensure that entrances, lifts, corridors, doorways and WCs are accessible, including to wheelchair users.
All new build schemes funded by the Government through the Housing Corporation must comply with the Corporation's scheme development standards which adopt criteria for accessibility and internal environments that help to make homes even more adaptable to long-term needs.