Comment on the Older People's Housing Taskforce's latest report

Commenting on the Older People's Housing Taskforce's latest report, our Assistant Director of Policy Theo Plowman said: 

"The figures are stark: we need 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. This 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. 

"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.”