With a national housing shortage imminent, there are worries that the new homes being hastily constructed might not be suitable for the country's ageing demographic. The introduction of mandatory accessibility design standards in all new builds aims to address this concern, ensuring that modifications such as step-free entrances, wider doors, and accessible showers are included to accommodate individuals with disabilities and mobility challenges. Despite most Australian jurisdictions signing up to the Livable Housing Design Standard as part of the National Construction Code, New South Wales and Western Australia are yet to come on board, sparking concerns about the lack of accessibility in future housing developments.
Former Disability Royal Commissioner Rhonda Galbally emphasizes the importance of every state adopting the mandatory design standards to ensure housing accessibility for people with disabilities. Apart from benefiting the disabled community, these standards could also enable older individuals to age in place by providing them with accessible living environments. The Australian Building Codes Board estimates a modest additional cost of $2,900 to $4,400 per home to implement these minimum accessible design standards, considering factors like the type of dwelling and required modifications.
V Samuela, a resident of Sydney who faced challenges finding suitable accommodation after experiencing strokes, expressed the struggles she encountered in navigating public housing with accessibility needs. Despite eventually finding a home that met most of her requirements near Campbelltown, Ms Samuela's story sheds light on the difficulties individuals with disabilities face in securing adequate living spaces. The Summer Foundation, an organization supporting young people with disabilities to live independently, advocates for national consistency in building housing by urging New South Wales and Western Australia to adopt the accessible design standards recommended by the NDIS review and Disability Royal Commission. By 2050, a significant portion of the Australian population will be over 65 years old, highlighting the urgency in creating fit-for-purpose accessible housing for both current and future residents.