New report calls for action on housing for older people

A new report has recommended that the design and development of new homes for older people must become a national priority if the UK is to avoid a future housing crisis

Launched by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), in partnership with Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the Department of Health, the HAPPI report (Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation) calls for positive action in response to the UK’s ageing population.

With the number of over 60 year-olds projected to increase by 7 million over the next 25 years and much of the UK’s existing housing stock inaccessible or unsuitable, the lack of good quality homes for older people is a real concern.

The HAPPI panel is chaired by Lord Richard Best OBE, who said: “In retirement, space really matters: we spend much more time in our own home; we may want to have family or friends – or a caretaker – to stay; and our possessions from a lifetime need a home too.”

The government- sponsored HAPPI report, which makes a series of recommendations including:

• The building of new homes for the ageing population becomes a priority for central government
• Local Authorities co-ordinate new efforts by housing providers and social and voluntary services to provide solutions to the problem
• Incentives for housebuilders to develop new types of housing for this burgeoning market
• Housing Associations maximise the potential of design and innovation in developing housing for older people
• Encouraging houseowners to free under-occupied family homes for sale and rent by providing attractive, spacious and manageable alternative accommodation

The HAPPI Panel was commissioned by Communities and Local Government as part of its commitments in the Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods strategy, which aims to make homes and communities more age-friendly.

Sir Bob Kerslake, Chief Executive of the Homes and Communities Agency said : “I am pleased that the HCA has been at the heart of this work as the ageing population is an issue we all need to take seriously and prepare for sooner rather than later. At the HCA, we will be looking closely at the recommendations the panel has made and will work with our partners to take some steps to address these.”

Communities Minister, Lord McKenzie said: "I welcome this independent report and want to thank Lord Best and the Panel of top experts for their commitment in undertaking this necessary work. The recommendations made in it will be an important platform that helps to stimulate new ideas for specialised homes that meet the needs of our ageing population.

"We need to be leaders in providing homes that will adapt to our needs as we age, giving us more choice about how and where we live as we grow older. That is why we will be encouraging pioneers of innovative age-friendly design by introducing a new category of Housing for Older People within the 2010 Housing Design Awards."