Yesterday saw work begin on efforts to boost the number of housing options that are suitable for older people, with the first meeting of a government’s appointed taskforce taking place in London.
The Older People’s Housing Taskforce is made up of a number of experts that will report back to the government about how housing can be improved for older people moving forward. The establishment of the taskforce was a combined effort from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and the Department for Health and Social Care.
Grace House, a retirement living scheme in St John’s Wood, was the location of the first meeting of the taskforce, with work focusing on how the government can offer a range of housing options for older generations, ensuring that the housing market works for them. Homes that are supportive of the needs of older people will help to reduce the costs put on health and social care systems, whilst also giving older people more independence in their own homes.
Addressing the taskforce at the meeting, Housing Minister Rachel Maclean said:
“Older people must have access to the right homes in the right places that suit their needs.
“I have seen first-hand today how good quality homes have greatly improved the lives of older people. The Taskforce’s important work in the coming months will help support our commitment in delivering quality housing across the country.
“I’m looking forward to listening to the Taskforce’s findings as we help the growth of a thriving older people’s housing sector in this country.”
Charities such as Age UK are represented on the taskforce, alongside the Chair of the Home Builders Foundation. Local government is also represented, with three members offering different perspectives. These representatives are:
- Jon Rouse CBE – City Director, Stoke-on-Trent City Council
- Cllr James Jamieson OBE – Chair, Local Government Association and Councillor, Central Bedfordshire Council
- Sarah McClinton – Director of Health and Adult Services, Royal Borough of Greenwich
Helen Whately, Minister for Care, said:
“Most people want to stay living in their own home for as long as possible. That means having the right sort of homes to make that possible.
“Our Taskforce is about making that happen – so that as people thankfully live longer, you can enjoy more years of independence living in the way you want to.
“I look forward to working with all the experts we have brought together in the taskforce and putting older people’s voices at the heart of this work.”
The taskforce will run for up to a year, with the end bringing an independent report that will be given to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, as well as the Department for Health and Social Care.
Professor Julienne Meyer, Chair of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce, said:
“I am excited to be working with such an expert group, and really glad this important work is now getting underway. I’m going to make sure that the voices of older people are heard at the heart of the Taskforce. So, one of the things I want to focus on immediately is putting people first and Consumer Protection.
“We have an ageing population and urgently need to address the lack of supply and quality of older people’s housing. Whilst we want to support older people in their own homes for as long as they wish, existing housing stock is unsuitable for many, and people are missing out on the health benefits of specialist housing. This needs to change.”
