Why are we not building more bungalows to ease the housing crisis? - Yorkshire Post Letters

Much has been said by the Government, and particularly Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, about the need to tackle Britain's housing crisis. However, I wonder whether we are overlooking a relatively straightforward way of making better use of our existing housing stock.

I am very conscious of the number of older people and those with mobility difficulties who continue to occupy three- and four-bedroom family houses, despite being unable to use much of their upstairs accommodation.

In many cases, they effectively live entirely on the ground floor, with local authorities providing Disabled Facilities Grants to install downstairs toilets, level-access showers and other adaptations.

These grants are undoubtedly important, but surely we should also be asking why we are not building more bungalows?

If attractive, accessible and reasonably priced bungalows were available within established communities, I suspect many people would be only too pleased to downsize. This would release larger houses onto the market for younger families desperately needing more space.

The benefits could be considerable. Older and disabled people could enjoy more suitable accommodation, family houses would become available, and public expenditure on adapting properties which are fundamentally unsuitable for their occupants might, in some cases, be reduced.

There is also the important question of independence and dignity. A purpose-built bungalow, close to familiar shops, friends and amenities, could allow people to remain independent for considerably longer.

I appreciate that bungalows occupy more land than conventional two-storey houses, but surely a sensible housing policy should consider the wider benefits of freeing up existing family accommodation.

We constantly hear about the need to build more homes. Perhaps we should give rather more thought to building the right homes, in the right places, for the right people.

After all, resolving the housing crisis is not simply about increasing the number of houses. It is also about making much better use of the millions we already have.