Government Urged To Commit To Section 21 Abolishment

Unaffordable rents, shoddy living conditions, and the threat of no fault eviction are putting thousands of older people who rent their homes from private landlords at risk, according to Age UK. As part of a campaign launch, the charity is calling on the government to give all older renters the security of tenure necessary to have peace of mind and feel safe in their own homes. According to reports, for older people who do not own their own homes, renting privately is often the only option left. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/government-urged-commit-to-section-21-abolishment/

'Grim Conditions' Put Older Tenants At Risk

Vulnerable older people endure shocking conditions in the private rental sector, leaving them at risk of neglect, bullying and abuse, according to Age UK. The charity warns that, with growing numbers of people renting into their old age, urgent reforms are needed to make sure older tenants are not living in "squalor". It has seen cases involving privately rented homes with only an outside toilet, homes with broken boilers and leaking taps and homes left without cooking facilities for months. Some family members of those renting told Age UK they thought the landlord was waiting for the tenant to die before taking action to improve the property. Read more on the Daily Mail website.

Residents Hit By Care Homes Rip-Off

Middle-class families are facing rip-off tactics from care home owners desperate to stay in business, according to a report. The ratio of care home residents who pay their own bills has risen to 41 per cent, and sharp practice against them by owners and operators has been multiplying, Age UK said. The tricks used to extort thousands of pounds from residents include demands that their families should take responsibility for paying their bill, and long notice periods that mean families must pay for weeks of care that have not been given. Families also face arbitrary hikes in fees; and unexpected charges for extras such as providing entertainment or hospital visits. Read more on the Daily Mail website.

Why “Generation Rent” Has No Age Limit

As home ownership has now reached its lowest level for the last thirty years, we have conducted a series of focus groups.  From our findings  it is clear that renters of all ages are affected in very similar ways by poor state of the market.  We know from our research that older renters are already experiencing a whole host of problems – many of which are shared with their younger counterparts. Yet despite this, few seem to be making this connection and the debates surrounding the renting crisis are frequently framed in terms of conflict between the generations. So, what are these shared concerns? Firstly, many are worried by the power landlords hold over their tenants and the lack of security that this provides. Read more on the Age UK website.

Nearly 400,000 Poor Pensioners Missing Out On Housing Benefit

Up to 390,000 older people in poverty could have claimed housing benefit last year but didn’t, a report by Age UK has found.  How we can end pensioner poverty found that pensioners who were eligible for housing benefit and didn’t claim it could have reduced their rent by an average of £48 a week. The report also found that there were 1.6 million older people living in poverty in the UK last year and 900,000 are living in severe poverty. Download a copy of the report from the Age UK website.

A New Manifesto for Housing in an Ageing Society

With the General Election due next year the Older People’s Housing Champion’s Network has produced its manifesto on housing in an ageing society. 

This calls for

·         Future proofing housing for an ageing society

·         Engaging older people far more in the planning and design of new homes & neighbourhoods

·         Promoting a greater choice of specialist and general housing for older people

·         Truly integrating housing into the planning of health and care services

·         Providing rapid access to affordable repairs and adaptations with practical help such as handyperson’s services and Home Improvement Agencies and

·         Providing more independent, impartial information and advice about housing, care and finance options.

Read more on the Age UK blog.

Lack of Suitable Housing Costs NHS Millions

Unsuitable housing is leaving thousands of older people facing unnecessary delays in being discharged from hospital, according to new analysis by Age UK. Official figures show that patients who need home adaptations, such as grab rails or ramps fitted at home, are having to wait for an extra 27 days on average– more than 40,000 days in total – costing an estimated £11.2 million per year in delayed discharges. In its new report ‘Housing in Later Life’, Age UK is calling on the Government to ensure that all new homes are built to the lifetime homes standard so they can be easily adapted as people age. Read more and download a copy of the report on the Age UK website.

Thousands in Their 50s Fear Losing Homes

Nearly a quarter of people in their early 50s polled by Age UK are afraid of falling on hard times and being forced out of their homes.  The charity says 23% of the 971 people they asked aged between 50 and 55 fear that they will not be able to keep up mortgage payments or rent.  Age UK says that people in this age group should be at the peak of their earning power. But instead, it says, they are beset with financial worries.  Age UK said the figures painted a "worrying picture" of tomorrow's pensioners.  It said those in their early 50s were more likely to be made redundant than younger workers, and it was harder for them to get back into the workplace. Those who have already retired have been hit by falling savings rates. Anyone with a private pension will also have found annuity rates at a historic low. Read more on the BBC website.

Pre-Election Plea for Older People Housing Support

A group of organisations championing older people’s rights has called on politicians to improve the lives of older people ahead of local elections next month.  The Housing and Ageing Alliance, which includes members such as the National Housing Federation and Age UK, said homes, communities and housing services should be planned and designed to enable choice, inclusion and independence in later life.  It is asking all political parties campaigning in the May 2012 elections to sign up to five pledges to improve the lives of older people. These are deliver more housing options, commit to great design, provide housing advice, protect social care budgets and appoint an older people’s champion.  Read more on Inside Housing.

Shapps Under Attack Over Housing Benefit Provision For Elderly

Housing minister Grant Shapps has defended claims by Age UK that the Government's housing benefit reforms could leave some elderly people on such low incomes their health may be at risk. The charity told the BBC that 80,000 pensioners who rent privately face losing an average of around £12 a week in payments. Age UK fears changes to the way maximum payments are calculated will leave some with less money for food and heating. The coalition government wants to introduce caps ranging from £250 a week for those in a one-bedroom property to £400 for those in a four-bedroom property. Mr Shapps told the BBC's Today programme: "If landlords don't drop their rents there is a discretionary housing fund which at the moment is £10m it's very well targeted and is operated by local authorities. It's going up 14 times to £140m - this is a discretionary housing benefit." Read what the NHF has to say about the budget for the Discretionary Housing Fund here and rest more of what Grant Shapps told the BBC on the 24dash website.