Universal Housing Design standards launched for new homes

The Federal Government has just launched a new program designed to change the way we build new homes to better accommodate all generations of Australians.

The initiative entitled the Universal Housing Design standards, dictates a series of voluntary guidelines aimed to improve living standards and help new housing cater better to young families, the elderly, and the disabled. The guidelines include specifications such as wider doorway openings, ground level bathrooms, and reinforced bathroom walls for railings. Complying with these new standards is expected to add about $1,000 - $2,000 to the cost of building, as opposed to retrofitting homes down the track which could cost up to $30,000.

Although voluntary, it is expected that up to 30,000 homes (or 20% of all new homes) will meet the standards within three years.Both private and public housing which elects to implement the standards, would be classified under a three-tier ratings system, depending on how well they complied for liveability.

This program was developed in an agreement between the Housing Industry of Australia, the Real Estate Institute, Master Builders, the Property Council and the Federal Government.