Housing and Ageing Alliance launches call for a national older people’s housing strategy
The Housing and Ageing Alliance (HAA) has stated that a national strategy is needed urgently to address the housing needs of the UK’s ageing population.
The call is among a 15-point plan published by the HAA, an alliance of senior leaders from a wide range of organisations including Age UK, Independent Age, the National Housing Federation and Housing LIN.
Creating Homes We Want to Grow Old In: A 15-Point Plan from the Housing and Ageing Alliance calls for a national older people’s housing strategy, strengthened information and advice, more support for home adaptation, and strengthened planning guidance to increase the supply of older people’s housing.
HAA Chair Mario Ambrosi said: “Our ageing population brings colossal change and is a surprise to precisely no one. Yet public policies and systems are increasingly inadequate for the challenges and opportunities it brings.”
“Everyone deserves an affordable, accessible home. Our 15-point plan sets out practical steps that Government can put in place now to enable people to age in place while increasing the supply of aspirational homes designed specifically for older people’s needs.
The Housing and Ageing Alliance is made up of individuals from local and national organisations working together with a single objective; to bring about improvements to the housing and living conditions of older people.
The membership of the Alliance reflects a range of housing interests, including older people who are active in housing related networks, national organisations from the statutory, voluntary and private sectors and those involved in policy development and representation on various housing related advisory bodies.
Mario added: “Actions such as implementing the government commitment to increase accessibility standards of new homes can happen immediately. At the same time, Government should develop a national older people’s housing strategy to drive a shift in supply to address needs of the older people of tomorrow.”
“We are grateful to Older People’s Housing Taskforce chair Professor Julienne Meyer for engaging so proactively with alliance members. While we understand the taskforce cannot address every area of older people’s housing, we look forward to seeing the recommendations and urge all political parties to act on them.”
A high-profile social housing campaigner recently called on Scottish politicians and sector leaders to urgently address the housing emergency and make it their number one priority.
