Housing Market Failing Older People

Britain’s housing market is failing to meet the needs of older people - despite a rapidly ageing population and a growing demand for retirement housing, Shelter’s new report reveals.  ‘A better fit’ explores the housing options available to over 55s, a group which will make up one in three people in England by 2030. A YouGov survey commissioned for the report shows more than a third (36%) of older people are interested in retirement housing, either now or in the future - equivalent to over 6 million people.  If current levels of demand remain constant, supply will have to increase by over 70% in the next 20 years.  However, housing that meets older people’s changing needs is not being built, with many developers finding it complex and costly to deliver. The lack of specialist housing for older people with care needs is particularly acute.  In response to the findings, Shelter is warning that developers and local planners are missing a huge opportunity that would not only help older people, but could also ease the country’s housing crisis.   Download a copy of the report from the Shelter website.