Warning over Housing Shortage for Older People

Owner occupied housing for older people should be treated as affordable housing by planners, according to a report published by the University of Reading. The report, entitled Housing markets and independence in old age: expanding the opportunities, warns that policy makers must act now if they are to avoid a shortage in housing provision for older people. By 2033, there will be an extra 3.5 million households aged more than 65 years, but there are only 100,000 specialist retirement homes, the report says. The report says owner occupied retirement housing, a form of housing designed specifically for older people which is leased, can help solve the problem. It should be classed as affordable housing and could therefore be included in more schemes, the study suggests. Download a copy of the report from the University of Reading’s website.