Accessible Housing Matters UK
Accessible Housing Matters UK
Podcast Description
If you care about homes that work for everyone, this podcast is for you. Each episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK dives into real conversations with the people shaping the future of inclusive living — from developers and designers to policy makers and everyday people with lived experience.
You’ll discover inspiring stories, innovative solutions, and practical insights that prove accessibility doesn’t mean compromise — it means better design for all. Whether you’re a property professional, architect, landlord, or someone passionate about equality and independence, you’ll come away informed, motivated, and empowered to be part of the change.
Thanks for listening to Accessible Housing Matters UK!
If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.
👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.co.uk
📩 Email me directly at [email protected]
🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthhunterproperty
Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!
N.B - Huge thank you to Stephen Beard of Accessible Housing Matters USA for allowing me to share the title for the UK version of the podcast.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers various critical themes in accessible housing, including policy changes needed for universally designed homes, navigating financial options like the Disabled Facilities Grant, and innovative adaptations in architecture. Episodes delve into personal stories from guests like Sandra Bentley discussing her experience with home adaptations, and Katy Deacon outlining the significance of inclusivity in engineering design.
If you care about homes that work for everyone, this podcast is for you. Each episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK dives into real conversations with the people shaping the future of inclusive living — from developers and designers to policy makers and everyday people with lived experience.
You’ll discover inspiring stories, innovative solutions, and practical insights that prove accessibility doesn’t mean compromise — it means better design for all. Whether you’re a property professional, architect, landlord, or someone passionate about equality and independence, you’ll come away informed, motivated, and empowered to be part of the change.
Thanks for listening to Accessible Housing Matters UK!
If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.
👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.co.uk
📩 Email me directly at [email protected]
🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthhunterproperty
Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!
N.B – Huge thank you to Stephen Beard of Accessible Housing Matters USA for allowing me to share the title for the UK version of the podcast.
EP – 10
This special Accessible Homes Week episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK features Ruth in conversation with Christina McGill, Director of Social Impact & External Affairs at Habinteg. Christina has been at the forefront of national campaigns — from For Accessible Homes Week to co-chairing the Home Coalition — making sure accessibility is recognised as an issue that benefits everyone, not just a minority.
Together, Ruth and Christina explore why Approved Document M4(1) isn’t enough, why M4(2) should be the baseline for all new housing, and what’s needed to deliver M4(3) wheelchair user homes at scale. They bust common myths around cost, space, and demand, reveal the real social and economic benefits of accessible housing, and set out a clear 3-step roadmap for government and industry.
👉 As part of Accessible Homes Week, don’t miss the special webinar panel — with lived experience voices, forward-thinking local authorities, and new research findings.
📅 Wednesday 10th September, 11:00am (BST)
🔗 Register here for the Accessible Homes Week Webinar
Chapters
[00:01] Welcome & intro to Christina + Habinteg
[02:26] Accessible Homes Week webinar preview (panel + new research)
[04:04] Why M4(1) falls short (steps allowed, tiny WCs, garden access)
[10:37] Attitude + design: level from the outset vs “add a ramp”
[13:56] The cost myth: typical M4(2)/M4(3) uplifts when planned early
[16:38] Real demand: waiting lists, 400k+ in unsuitable homes, data caveats
[20:45] Marketing gap: why private M4(3) homes aren’t reaching buyers
[22:16] Economic & health benefits: fewer falls, quicker discharge, 4× work likelihood
[27:24] Making accessibility beautiful (Invisible Creations & normalising safety)
[31:45] Message to local authorities: NPPF, evidence, and setting M4(2) expectations
[38:03] Will M4(3) help planning outcomes? On-the-ground examples
[42:57] Policy levers now: housing plan baseline, Homes England criteria, New Towns, training
[47:59] Many developer obligations; why a single baseline simplifies delivery
[50:51] Building control: consistent enforcement & best-practice upskilling
[57:32] Christina’s 3-step roadmap (policy → education → co-design)
[1:01:50] Designing with lived experience (ramps, landings, natural light)
[1:02:31] Wrap-up & invites
Keywords
Accessible Housing, Habinteg, Approved Document M, M4(1) / M4(2) / M4(3), Wheelchair Accessible Homes, Universal Design, Planning Policy, Building Control, Homes England, NPPF, New Towns, Falls Prevention, Hospital Discharge, Inclusive Design, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Contact Details
Guest — Christina McGill / Habinteg
• Website: https://www.habinteg.org.uk/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-mcgill-53150110/
• Email: [email protected]
Host — Ruth Hunter
• Website: www.veredusproperty.co.uk
• Email: www.veredusproperty.co.uk
📩 Email me directly at [email protected]
🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthhunter
Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!
Disclaimer
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