The Building Better Homes Campaigns is a coalition of peak bodies and agencies. Their mission is to see the inclusion of minimum accessibility standards included in the National Building Code. Recently, the campaign has been making waves throughout Australia’s construction industry. More than 30 organisations wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister and state and territory leaders encouraging them to secure the future of Australian housing through the inclusion of mandatory accessibility standards as part of the National Building Code.

What does this mean for the disability community in Australia?

If the Campaign’s requests are enacted, this would pave the way for a huge improvement in the lives of many Australians. According to some experts, it is 22 times more expensive to renovate a house than to initially build according to an accessibility standard. Often, people from the disability community have to fork out money for modifications to their home so that they can stay out of nursing homes. 

Already, it’s easy to see how including mandatory accessibility standards into the National Building Code is a step forward for inclusivity and equality.

What’s wrong with dedicated accessible housing?

This is a question that, understandably, many people have. It’s worth asking, however, solely having dedicated accessible housing severely limits the choices of the disability community. With this option, the country or states/territories can also end up with a severe lack of accessibility housing. Currently, this is the situation, leaving many Australians stranded and in a home that is potentially dangerous for them. 

This doesn’t just present physical hazards and inaccessibility but it also impacts their:

• Financial resources, especially if modifications on the home and at-home care are needed;
• Quality of life;
• Employment opportunities;
• Productivity. 

What does this mean for the construction industry? 

If the campaign succeeds, then every newly built residential property will have to comply with the minimum accessibility standards in the National Building Code. 

These measures will not just affect builders or construction companies but also designers, architects, consultants and essentially, any professional that provides structural construction or modifications on a home. 

While there will certainly be a learning/training curve, bear in mind that voluntary guidelines from the government-backed organisation, Livable Housing Australia, were adopted over a decade ago. This solution not only hasn’t worked, but it requires a serious update that includes mandatory guidelines, not voluntary ones.

The future of accessible homes

Unless the Prime Minister and state/territory leaders adopt minimum accessibility standards included in the National Building Code, the future seems bleak for accessible housing in Australia.

According to the Building Better Homes organisation, over the next four decades, the number of Australians with a mobility limitation due to a disability is expected to increase by over 2 million people. Additionally, as our population ages, the demand for accessible housing will also increase, with a significant portion wanting to live in a home rather than a nursing home. Currently, only 5% of new home builds comply with Livable Housing Guidelines, possibly because it is voluntary and not mandatory. 

These horrifying statistics indicate that the shortage of accessible homes will get much worse in the coming years unless the leaders of our country make a significant change to the National Building Code.

At Access Link Consulting, we fully support the efforts of the Building Better Homes Campaign and hope that our leaders take notice and implement change. Our future depends on it.