CIH welcomes government response to Older People’s Housing Taskforce

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has welcomed the government’s response to the Older People’s Housing Taskforce, which recognises the importance of increasing housing options for older people across the income spectrum.

The government’s response includes a commitment to consider how to ensure access to advice and information as part of the roadmap, in line with the Taskforce’s recommendation for a national information platform and local hubs.

Sarah Davis, CIH policy manager and CIH’s representative on the Housing and Ageing Alliance (HAA), said: “It is very welcome to see a commitment from government to increasing the housing choices for older people now and in the future, given that we have an ageing society. We look forward to supporting the development of a roadmap that can achieve this now and in the long term for us all as we age.

“In delivering the government’s housing ambitions, it is important to include specialist and mainstream homes that are accessible and adaptable, that support independence for as long as possible, and the safe delivery of care and support where necessary. Alongside that, ongoing investment in the adaptation and improvement of our existing homes must play a significant part in making homes fit for the future.

“A particularly positive step, and one that CIH has championed, is the commitment to improving routes to advice and information. Increasing access to advice that aligns housing with potential care and support needs will help older people make decisions earlier that will support their independence and wellbeing into later life, whether that’s adapting their home, or moving into specialist housing.”

CIH is a longstanding member of the HAA, which has also welcomed the response. HAA co-chairs Mario Ambrosi and Professor Julienne Meyer CBE, who also chaired the Taskforce, said: “We need swift and sustained action to create more choice and better homes for people in later life.”

The Our Future Homes report estimated that 30,000 to 50,000 new later-living homes are needed each year, compared with around 7,000 currently being built annually.