Response to the Communities and Local Government Committee’s report on Housing for Older People

Responding to the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee’s report on Housing for Older People, published today, Dr Rachael Docking at the Centre for Ageing Better, said:

"Today’s call to create a national strategy for housing for older people is hugely welcome and represents a significant step towards responding to a society where more people are living longer. We now need Government to act on the Committee’s recommendations."

“Particularly important is the recommendation to create an expanded “national advice service”, which would ensure people could access much-needed information and support to adapt and make their homes safe and accessible as they age, and help them to consider their housing options. Crucially, the committee also calls for a Home Improvement Agency to exist in every community, with funding on offer that can be used innovatively and flexibly by people to make changes to their homes."

“We also welcome the call for housing to play a greater role in planning local health and care services - which is essential given how integral housing is for the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities - and for new housing to be planned and built to be ‘age proof’ to meet the needs of current and future generations."

"So much of the debate around housing for older people has focused on specialist housing, despite the fact that over 90 per cent of older people live in general housing and for many that is where they want to remain. It is heartening to see Committee’s recognition that older people’s housing needs are diverse and that greater support is needed to help individuals and communities to plan for the future."