Over-65s Boxed In By Bungalow Shortage

Millions of retirees are unable to downsize from the family home due to a huge shortage of bungalows. Housebuilder McCarthy and Stone has slammed current planning rules, claiming they restrict the number of one-storey homes being built by prioritising high-density, high-rise developments. And it has called on the Government to consider introducing allocations of age-restricted, bungalow-only sites in local plans. The shortage comes despite a recent survey, carried out by the builder and YouGov, highlighting the popularity of one-storey homes among the older generation. Read more on the Mailonline.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7544531/Over-65s-boxed-bungalow-shortage-millions-retirees-unable-downsize.html

Why Has Britain Stopped Building Bungalows?

The number of bungalows being built in the UK has collapsed, despite an ageing population. Why? It's the building that's symbolised a quieter, gentler way of life for more than a century. Bungalows are sold as a dream for those approaching retirement, wanting to do without the hassle of having to climb stairs. They also provide easy access for wheelchair users and those unsteady on their feet.

With the UK's population ageing, demand for single-storey homes is likely to grow. But developers dealing with rocketing land prices are under pressure to build further upwards. Read more on the BBC website.

1 In 4 Forced Council House Sales Could Be Bungalows

The Housing and Planning Bill will compel Local Authorities to sell off high value housing stock as it becomes vacant to fund the Right to Buy extension for Housing Association tenants. But new analysis shows that high demand for bungalows will mean that homes lived in by older people, in particular those who have a sickness or disability, are almost three times more likely to be sold off and will be more difficult to replace. The numbers are drawn from Understanding the likely poverty impacts of the extension of Right to Buy to housing association tenants, a report written for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The report finds that Bungalows make up 9% per cent of Local Authority owned housing, but are likely to make up 25% of high value property sales due to their higher cost and more frequent vacancies.  Read more on the JRF website.

'Psychological Barriers' Stop Old People From Downsizing, Says Housing Minister

Older people have to overcome a “psychological barrier” which stops them downsizing to a smaller home, the housing and planning minister has said. Brandon Lewis said he wanted property companies to build more attractive bungalows which would encourage pensioners to move out of their empty family homes.  By 2021 the number of households is on course to increase by 2.2million. Of that, 1.2million or 54 per cent will be households aged 65-years and over. However only 300 bungalows were built in England in 2009, the most recent figures show, and currently only two per cent of English homes are bungalows. Read more on the Daily Telegraph website.

Council Considers Building Bungalows to Free Up Family Homes

Birmingham Council is considering building bungalows to free up family-sized homes in the city in the wake of a successful pilot scheme. The city began building 25 bungalows across two sites in 2012, in a bid to encourage elderly tenants to move out of their family-sized homes. With the project nearing completion, the council has filled 24 of the homes and is considering a programme of 50 bungalows a year to help tenants hit by the bedroom tax. Read more on Inside Housing.

Pensioners Want To 'End Their Days' In Bungalows, Says Minister

The majority of pensioners want to “end their days” in a bungalow, Nick Boles has said, as he called for single-storey homes to be built across the country. The planning minister wants more bungalows in order to encourage older people to move out of bigger homes to make way for younger families.

Mr Boles admitted that a programme of bungalow development would require councils to open up more land for development. However, he suggested that locals are less likely to oppose the development of bungalows because of their popularity. Mr Boles also said he would like to see greater numbers of elderly people being housed in town centres. Read more on the Daily Telegraph website.

Bungalow Plan Branded 'Crazy' By Retirement Specialist

Government plans to encourage more bungalows to house elderly people have been branded ‘crazy’ by a retirement housing specialist. A survey by Churchill Retirement Living shows 30 per cent of over-65s move to a retirement community after trying a bungalow and finding it wanting. Spencer McCarthy, Chairman and Managing Director, Churchill Retirement Living, commented: ‘I urge the Government to abandon this crazy proposal before it is too late. Bungalows waste land and eat up the greenbelt. Worst of all, because it is virtually impossible to build bungalows near town centres, bungalows often mean old people are abandoned in remote and inaccessible locations – far from friends, families and loved ones.’ Read more on Inside Housing.  

Councils Urged To Build Thousands of New Bungalows

Councils will need to build thousands more bungalows to deal with a ‘critical’ problem in housing Britain’s elderly, ministers say.  Advice to be issued to planners will highlight the need to match the supply of local accommodation to the needs of an ageing population looking to live independently for longer. The number of bungalows being built has almost come to a halt in recent years. As well as bungalows, councils will be told to consider retirement villages of 100 or so houses with activities for residents; sheltered homes with a warden on duty or on call; Extra Care, a form of retirement housing with 24-hour personal care and meals; and nursing homes.  Read more on the Daily Mail website.