North Queensland builder Martin Locke has been pushing for Townsville to become a pilot city where all new homes are built to a silver level standard, to meet the needs of Australia's growing populations of older people and people with a disability.

Mr Locke has garnered support from Townsville City Council, land developers and the building industry, but without a financial incentive provided by Government he said there is no way every new home buyer will build to that standard.

"It is a bit sad that we have to offer financial incentive for something that is just and right … but unfortunately it is just not happening," Mr Locke said.

"Making it mandatory isn't the way to go, but I think everyone will realise where you can you should build to this standard.

"It future-proofs the homes you are building for the fastest growing market, the aged and the disabled."

Liveable housing to meet population needs

In 2010 the Federal Government's Liveable Housing Australia Guidelines were developed to address the shortage of homes that meet Australia's growing populations needs.

The guidelines' target was for all new homes to be built to silver level standard by 2020.

Silver level is the minimum level needed for a person with a wheelchair to be able to live in a house.

The Queenslanders With a Disability Network (QDN) has estimated that less than 5 per cent of new homes are being built to that standard.

"There has been lots of targets set, but without actual commitment and requirements put in place and incentives to get the building industry to reach those targets," Michelle Moss from QDN said.

"So the project here in Townsville, which is about silver level housing, is actually heling support meeting those targets."

Mr Locke said the few changes needed to make a house silver-level compliant add less than $2,500 to the cost of a new home.

The main changes include having one metre-wide hallways, a step-free shower, 870 millimetre-wide doorways, extra beams in the walls of the bathroom to allow for grab rails to be installed, one entry without stairs and 1.2m between the toilet and the toilet door.

"The thing about silver level housing is it is so basic, it is so easy to do it at the start of construction," Mr Locke said.

"There has been numbers saying it costs 20 times more to do it retrofitting."

Martin Locke said building to silver level adds less than $2,500 to the cost of a new home. ( ABC North Queensland: Nathalie Fernbach )

Rental market not wheelchair friendly

Townsville resident Jeff Wright was badly injured while riding his motorbike in 2015 and now requires a wheelchair for mobility.

Mr Wright spent four months last year looking for a rental property that he could access in his wheelchair.

"There was nothing on offer that I could find," Mr Wright said.

Confounded by the rental options available, Mr Wright ended up having to buy a property and modify it to make it wheelchair accessible.

"I was in the building game before the accident so I had a good idea of what I wanted to do," .

"But still, it took six months and I was in a hotel for six months waiting for the modifications to occur."

But even after $130,000 of modifications Mr Wright said his home is not ideal.

"A couple of the doors … I have got to be lined up perfectly or else I'll skin my knuckles," he said.

Jeff Wright said is cost him $130,000 to have his house retrofitted to be wheelchair accessible. ( ABC North Queensland: Nathalie Fernbach )

Homes change people's lives

QDN has reported that 830,000 Queenslanders with a disability are facing a housing affordability crisis.

Ms Moss said people with a disability and older people on a pension find it particularly hard to find housing that is both suitable and affordable.

"Often people are on fixed incomes, which impacts on their ability to participate in the housing market and then there is a lack of options," she said.

Mark Henley from the Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS) said this lack of accessible housing is preventing people with a disability from integrating wholly into society.

"If you don't have that foundational piece around housing, other areas will suffer," Mr Henley said.

"Housing is foundational as far as people having good health, opportunities for kids to get to school and be educated … accessing employment and sustaining employment."

Townsville resident Peter Gurr with Michelle Moss and Mark Henley. QCOSS and QDN have concerns that universal housing guidelines have not been effective in creating more accessible housing. ( ABC North Queensland: Nathalie Fernbach )

Accessible homes support whole community

Liveable Housing Australia has reported a 60 per cent chance that a home will be occupied by a person with a disability at some point.

As Australia's population ages, accessibility is also on the minds of many older home buyers.

Mr Henley said it is not enough to have accessible homes just for people with disabilities.

"People with a disability want to actually go and visit family and friends and also get access to the other infrastructure that exists whether it is retail or commercial," Mr Henley said.

"The more they can access other premises the more inclusive the whole community is."

Mr Wright said he has to be a "bit inventive" when it comes to accessing some houses or businesses.

"There are some places that I just cant get into," he said.

"The boys will lift you up and carry you, but it is not quite dignified either and you don't want to impose on your mates," he said.

"You want to feel independent rather than feel obligated on people's assistance."

One step-free entry to the house is a pre-requisite of a silver level build. ( ABC North Queensland: Nathalie Fernbach )

Subsidy program proposal

Ultimately, Mr Locke said he would like to see a First Home Buyers Grant-style subsidy scheme for silver level housing established, but for the time being he would be happy to see a 12 month pilot program in Townsville.

Mr Locke said both State and Federal Government representatives have been very enthusiastic during meetings about the Townsville pilot but he fears the project has stalled around the subsidy.

"We have done everything we can as a local community," Mr Locke said.

"I am hoping that State and Federal Governments really do find a way to match what the Townsville community has done, that is the final piece of the puzzle."