Nick Sanderson, CEO Audley Group, sets out why housing strategy must match up with our ageing population. 

It’s no secret that the UK has an ageing population. The latest ONS figures, published just a couple of weeks ago, revealed there’s now 12.7 million over 65s in the UK and in some regions they account for a third of the population.

What strikes me is how stark these figures are when you look at them against the provision of age specific housing here in the UK. The size of the over 65 population both now and in the years to come, dwarfs the number of properties that are built with this population in mind.

For me, this simply underlines the need for more age specific housing, particularly in areas where the over 65 population is high. It’s a move that will reduce pressure on the housing system, and also reduce the stress on the UK’s care system – with more people living in properties that are appropriate to their needs for longer.

At the moment, our housing market is stuck in a cycle where would-be downsizers, or rightsizers, choose to stay in large family homes that aren’t appropriate as they get older. Big gardens to maintain, rooms that go unused and time and money spent on keeping the property cared for. And that’s without the added potential risks to their health wellbeing, being in a property that doesn’t meet their needs, which could ultimately expensive care down the track.

By choosing to stay, downsizers also block potential movement across the whole housing market. There is a drive for these homeowners to move to properties that are more suitable for their lifestyle but without the supply, in the right locations, there is little desire for them to make the move.

While the delivery of new retirement living units has picked up in recent years, annual delivery accounts for just 3% of the total number of new homes built each year. With the ONS forecasting that by 2040 there will be an additional 4.2 million over 65s, at which point 25% of the population will be aged 65 or over, this is simply not good enough.

We have to give people more choice. Not everyone living in a large family property will choose to move into a retirement property, but we must give people the option. Firstly, to show the different lifestyle options available, importantly ones which can enhance people’s quality of life as they get older, and secondly to encourage those that want to move to do so.

The answer is simple. We must build more retirement properties, and specifically integrated retirement communities that have central facilities and care attached.

The planning reforms, announced in last year’s Autumn Statement as part of the Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill, should streamline planning processes and boost housebuilding output. But more of the same shouldn’t be the priority for planners. It’s about building a more diverse housing mix, including age-specific housing. Increasing supply is a key focus of the cross-party Older People’s Housing taskforce that I joined last year and there are a number of recommendations which would do this quickly. We hope that these will be published soon with the Housing Minister, and government, taking decisive action on implementing these changes into our housing system.

The impact could be significant. We must see housing strategy catch up with the ageing population and deliver the homes we need. The Government has consistently underestimated the impact this would have on the whole housing market and that needs to change.

The Audley Group is a member of the ILC’s Partners Programme. If you are interested in joining our Partners Programme, please contact Paul Goulden, ILC Head of Partnerships.