Older People’s Taskforce calls for national housing strategy

There should be a long-term national housing strategy for an ageing population, with a joint unit established between MHCLG and DHSC (the Department of Health and Social Care) “to create a plan of action”, according to the Older People’s Housing Taskforce.

Publishing its long-awaited report on the provision of greater choice, quality and security of housing for older people, the taskforce set out ten recommendations including a long-term strategy as a “collective ambition” to better prepare for the “multifaceted impact” of an ageing society and support the “transformational thinking” of government departments.

The taskforce wrote that a jointly sponsored unit between MHCLG and DHSC could be an arms-length body, with leadership at national and local levels and governed by an independent board, “including investors”.

The report - Our Future Homes: Housing that promotes wellbeing and community for an ageing population – also recommended that more housing be designed for later life. “Homes need to be desirable, accessible, adaptable, technology-enabled, energy efficient and affordable, to meet the housing needs and lifestyle choices of an ageing population,” the taskforce stated.

It said all types of housing for older people should be utilised, including mainstream, community-led and …