Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what discussions his Department has had with local authorities on ensuring that there is more flexibility in the criteria for disabled people to be included on the housing register for an accessible home.

The Government believes it is important that people who require accessible housing are given the right level of priority under a council's allocation scheme, and that councils and social landlords are able to make the best use of affordable housing in their area, including accommodation which is accessible or has been adapted. That is why, through the Localism Act 2011, we have retained the statutory reasonable preference requirements which ensure that priority for social housing is given to those who need to move on medical and welfare grounds (including grounds relating to a disability).

We recognise that accessible housing registers can be useful, and we are aware that some councils have incorporated such an approach into their lettings system, and in London there is a city-wide London Accessible Housing Register (https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/housing-and-land/renting/london-accessible-housing-register).

My department regularly discusses the housing needs of disabled people with local authorities and the housing sector.