Lord Best OBE will chair a live panel discussion at Parliament launching a new campaign by Habinteg Housing Association’s Insight Group to widen public understanding of and support for accessible homes.
The in-person event that takes place from 12.10pm on Thursday 12 March will be live-streamed to the public who can register for the link to join the free event.
The panel discussion and audience Q&A will focus on the critical importance of making all new homes more accessible and adaptable, and the need to ensure plans are made for wheelchair user homes across the country.
The campaign, Connected by design – the fight for accessible homes, is being driven by a diverse group of campaigners that work with Habinteg to champion accessible housing. It is launching at a time when housing policy continues to fail disabled and older people.
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Disability equality consultant and trainer, and Habinteg Insight Group member, Tanvi Vyas MBE said: “The reality is that anyone can become disabled at any time, we all get old if we’re lucky, some of us doing so will acquire an impairment, and will face barriers as we age.
“Right now, unacceptable numbers of disabled people are having to live in unsuitable homes for years, impacting their independence, health and life chances, because there aren’t enough accessible homes being built. This is social justice issue that’s not being recognised and taken seriously enough.”
Connected by design seeks to increase awareness of the number and housing needs of disabled people and educate key players about accessible housing design standards.
The campaign aims to influence the built environment education sector and generate public discourse while sharing best practice in accessible housing in the UK and abroad.
Lord Best, a crossbench member of the House of Lords, will chair a panel including disability rights campaigner and Habinteg Insight Group member, Kerry Thompson; Senior Policy Advisor at the Motor Neurone Disease Association, Flora Butler; Director and Co-founder of Invisible Creations, Laura Wood; and Habinteg’s Director of Social Impact and External Affairs, Christina McGill.
Lord Best said: “I’m delighted to support this important launch in Parliament. Accessible homes are the foundation of independence, dignity and better health for millions of people. The Connected by design campaign shows that when we build homes that work for everyone, we strengthen our communities and reduce pressure on our public services.
“Embedding accessibility into every stage of design and construction, we can future‑proof our housing stock and ensure that disabled people and older people are not shut out of the places they should be able to call home.”
Christina McGill, Habinteg’s Director of Social Impact & External Affairs, said: “In 2022 the previous government promised to make the M4(2) accessible and adaptable homes standard mandatory for all new homes. Nearly four years on, ministers now plan to reduce this ambition to a minimum of 40% of new homes and they have proposed no firm requirements for wheelchair accessible homes at all.
“This approach will not result in the number of accessible homes that our country desperately needs, nor improve the burgeoning postcode lottery for an accessible home.”
The Connected by design round table discussion will provide valuable insights for housing developers, architects, housing associations, disability and housing campaign groups, and health and social care professionals.
Register now to watch the free live-streamed event, which will run on Thursday 12 March, 12.10pm to 1.40pm.
Earlier this year, Habinteg Housing Association appointed Martin Warhurst as its new Chief Executive Officer.
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https://thiis.co.uk/habinteg-campaign-group-launches-new-push-for-accessible-housing-awareness/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3a7035b7-58d4-43a8-a9b0-1fd592e5f4a0.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3a7035b7-58d4-43a8-a9b0-1fd592e5f4a0-150×150.jpg2026-03-10T09:33:32+00:00NewsroomSector NewsThird SectorUncategorisedaccessible,adaptable,campaign group,Habinteg,homes,housingLord Best OBE will chair a live panel discussion at Parliament launching a new campaign by Habinteg Housing Association’s Insight Group to widen public understanding of and support for accessible homes.
The in-person event that takes place from 12.10pm on Thursday 12 March will be live-streamed to the public who…Liane McIvorLiane
McIvorliane@thiis.co.ukEditorTHIIS Magazine
