WIREDGOV

Cllr Martin Tett, the Local Government Association’s Housing spokesman, responded to a report on Housing for Older People by the Communities and Local Government Committee

“We are pleased the Committee backs the LGA’s call for a national focus on providing more housing for older people. As we have previously warned, we face a chronic shortage of homes suitable to support our ageing population. Housing for elderly people currently accounts for just 6 per cent of our existing stock. 

“There is a clear link between housing, health and social care, and this needs to be considered in the Government’s forthcoming social care green paper. Decent, quality housing for older people will include adaptations that enables them to live at home independently and for longer, keeping them fit and well and out of hospital.

“But councils need the tools to build homes that meet the health needs of their older residents. This includes giving councils the freedom to borrow and invest in building new housing and retain receipts from Right to Buy sales in full so they can replace homes sold.

“Planning teams also need to be properly resourced so they can deliver homes faster and for planning powers to be given to councils to ensure the timely build out of homes and environments that are suitable to support positive ageing.”

Report: Housing for older people needs national strategy