WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE HOUSING

That this House recognises the chronic shortage of housing suitable for people who are wheelchair users; notes with concern the research published by John Grooms indicating a countrywide shortfall of 300,000 wheelchair accessible houses; believes that all new housing should be built for equality not inaccessibility; regrets that the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 did not tackle this issue; further notes that barrier-free housing remains an `unfinished puzzle'; recognises that a disabled person finding a suitable house is like winning the prize in a lucky dip; welcomes the target within the London Plan that 10 per cent. of all new housing should be either fully wheelchair accessible or easily adapted; and calls on the Government to require all regional housing boards to introduce a similiar 10 per cent. target into their future housing strategies.