<p>The lack of housing for older people is the UK&rsquo;s next housing crisis, a report on retirement housing launched today (September 12) reveals.</p> <p><br />Top of the Ladder, compiled by Demos, shows that 3.5 million people aged over 60 wish to buy retirement property, but only 100,000 suitable homes exist.</p> <p><br />Demos said that building more retirement housing would free up more than 3 million homes and help people lower down the housing ladder. The older generation is also sitting on some considerable wealth, with over 60s in England alone owning &pound;1.28 trillion in housing equity.</p> <p><br />The report also found that downsizing had a positive effect on people&rsquo;s wellbeing, making them less reliant on care services.</p> <p><br />The Home Builders Federation (HBF) used the publication of the report to launch its Campaign for Housing in Late Life, headed by TV personality Esther Rantzen. The campaign calls upon the government to remove the policy barriers that make building retirement homes difficult, and improve housing choices for older people.</p> <p><br />HBF&rsquo;s campaign also asks local councils to include older people&rsquo;s housing needs in its local housing policies to help combat loneliness and bring security and companionship to the older generation.</p> <p><br …