The other housing crisis
CCS Disability Action hopes Prime Minister John Key’s state of the nation speech will address the other housing crisis
as well.
With an aging population, the number of people who need accessible private homes and social housing is rapidly growing.
Previous research has already found strong evidence of a significant undersupply of accessible private homes and social
housing. This undersupply will only become more acute over time.
Chief Executive of CCS Disability Action, David Matthews, said that the long-term challenge for the government and
private sector would be around accessible housing for an aging population as well as affordable housing.
“In the 2013 Disability Survey, an estimated 404,000 people had a physical impairment and 248,000 people had a sensory
impairment. These numbers are set to skyrocket because 49 per cent of people over 65 have a physical impairment. Right
now, people with impairments will be living in unmodified homes increasing their risk of injury and limiting their
independence.”
Mr Matthews was clear that a lack of accessible housing had a serious impact on people with impairments and the wider
community.
“A shortage of accessible housing can stop people getting out and about in the community, which in turn affects their
ability to find and keep jobs. Research has also found that houses with poor access increase people’s dependence on
government-funded disability support services. A shortage of accessible housing is a lose-lose situation for people with
impairments and the government.
Mr Matthews added that people with impairments are not a static group.
“The line between being ‘able-bodied’ and having an impairment is thin. All people are vulnerable to developing
impairments that in turn mean they need modified houses. The world looks very different when you have an impairment even
if it is only temporary. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to make homes accessible once built. Retrofitting homes is
expensive, time consuming and sometimes impractical.”
Mr Matthews said that he wanted to see more action from central and local government on accessible housing.
“The proposed Rental Warrant of Fitness did not even mention accessibility and the Housing New Zealand Corporation does
not even know how many accessible homes they have. By comparison, some councils are starting to address the issue.
Christchurch City Council, for example, is focusing on building accessible social housing. We need to see other councils
leading the way.”
Mr Matthews said that unless central government stepped up to address the other housing crisis, New Zealand’s future
propensity and quality of life would be affected.
“With an aging population, we are living on borrowed time, unless we start taking action now. I am hoping the Prime
Minister will acknowledge the need for change tomorrow. The need for accessible houses is only going to grow.”
ENDS