The final report of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce, for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Department of Health and Social Care, has been released.
The country needs 50,000 specialist homes per year to meet the needs of an ageing population, yet current delivery falls woefully short at just 7,000 annually.
The report makes clear that without renewed and bold energy in housing policy, we risk failing to meet the needs of older people today and in the future.
Over the last 12 months the Taskforce has engaged extensively to collate and further build the evidence. It has drawn expertise and insight from a wide range of people with an interest in the topic. It has hosted a call for evidence; held expert roundtables; and commissioned new research.
Most importantly – it has listened and spoken directly to senior citizens themselves – through visits to dozens of later living communities, networking and through a series of focus groups.
Taskforce chair, Professor Julienne Meyer, said: “I’d like to issue a call for action for all stakeholders to co-produce, with senior citizens from diverse backgrounds, housing environments that enhance wellbeing in later life and contribute to local communities. If we are to address the potential challenge of a workforce being unable to meet the needs of an ageing population - housing, wellbeing and community needs to be everyone’s business.
“I am mindful that to bring about a significant shift in offering more housing choices for people in later life, the work has only just begun. We now need to build on the positive energy and insights generated by the Taskforce across housing, health and social care to develop a long-term collaborative action plan, which will not only benefit senior citizens, but the communities in which they live and society at large.
“I believe our vision will empower senior citizens and their families to access or adapt mainstream housing, rightsize at the right time, develop new models of community-led housing and stimulate new supply of homes and communities that support healthy ageing. To do this we need national and local leadership to galvanize action and drive delivery. We ignore the challenges outlined in this report at our peril.”
Responding to the report, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President Muyiwa Oki said: “This thorough assessment contains many recommendations that are most welcome. It’s been a privilege to support the work of the Taskforce over recent months, and I am really pleased to see the final report echo our call to use the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and local planning policy as a means of ensuring sufficient, appropriate local housing that meets the needs of older people.
“The recommendation to immediately adopt Part M4(2) as a minimum accessibility standard for all new housing is also encouraging, and we urge the Government to consult on its implementation in the very near future.
“This report highlights the urgent need for better housing options for older people, so I call on the Government to carefully consider the expert recommendations.
“Architects are essential in creating high-quality homes that meet people’s needs throughout their lives, and we continue to help our members design inclusive environments for all.”
BPF Assistant Director of Policy Theo Plowman said: "We have emphasised that national and local planning systems must enable greater volumes of age-appropriate housing. This means ensuring local plans adequately reflect the need for specialist housing and mainstream developments incorporate these principles.
"A long-term National Housing Strategy for an Ageing Population is urgently needed to prepare for the profound impacts of our ageing society. Such a strategy would help people live healthier, more independent lives, make better use of housing stock, and reduce pressure on health and social care services. We welcome the drive to build trust among older people and their families, transparency around fees, charges, and options is vital to fostering confidence in age-appropriate housing.
"We will also be looking to explore a fairer more effective leasehold system for older people alongside the Government. The Government must seize this moment to act decisively.
"This report provides a roadmap to addressing the longstanding challenges, but its success depends on structures that translate ambition into delivery. The opportunity to make transformational change for older people is here and must be treated with the same ambition within the governments housing strategy.”
