If You Own Your Own Home You Are Likely To Live Longer

Across most of the UK there is a direct correlation between homeownership levels and life expectancy according to an analysis by the HomeOwners Alliance; where homeownership levels are higher, so is life expectancy. However, homeownership levels have been declining for the past decade (peaking in 2002 at 69.7% down to 63.8% according to latest official figures from the April-June 2016 Labour Force Survey). High demand for homes is pushing house prices to unaffordable levels. Political parties, experts and the government all agree that the underlying cause of the housing crisis is that we have not been building enough new homes for decades. Read more on the Housingnet website.

Report Warns Of Bleak Future For Ageing Without Better Housing And Planning

The housing and planning system is failing to deal with an ageing society meaning people are likely to find themselves living in homes that do not meet their needs as they grow older, according to a report. Tomorrow’s World: The future of ageing in the UK presents a bleak future for ageing, but it doesn’t have to be this way. There are significant social and economic opportunities, but only if policymakers begin to plan better for the long term. Among its chief concerns, the report highlights:

·         The social care system is crumbling and health care is failing to incentivise the prevention of ill health

·         The housing and planning system is failing to respond to ageing resulting in people living in housing which does not meet their needs

·         Individuals are currently underestimating their life expectancy and risking running out of money in retirement.

Read more on the Housing Excellence website.