The Government published a major new housing strategy, giving older people greater choice and addressing the challenges of an ageing population. It includes a range of measures to bring about a fundamental change in the way we build future communities, alongside an expansion in existing support available to older people that will help them to live safely and, where they choose, independently in their own homes.
Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods: A National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society is the first of its kind in the world. It represents a major shift that puts housing in the frontline in both supporting older people's aspirations and preventative care, placing the needs of older people at the heart of policy making.
Housing Minister Caroline Flint said:
"This is about giving all older people a better choice. The vast majority of people want to stay independent in a suitable home at they get older. We have a responsibility to support that desire by increasing the housing choices that are available.
"Meeting the needs of an ageing population is one of the major challenges we are facing as a society. But whilst it's a big challenge, even a small change or adaption to a home can transform an older person's life."
Announcements to 'future proof' all new homes will include:
From 2013, the intention is to establish new standards for all new homes, meaning they are built to age friendly designs. This will mark a fundamental change in the way homes are currently constructed.
Sixteen key features make up the 'Lifetime Homes' standard and it will mean that wider doors, improved design of bathrooms and staircases big enough to take stair lifts will be a feature of every new home. It is hoped that this will lead to an end to the need for costly adaptations.
Take-up will be reviewed in 2010, with a view to bringing forward regulation in 2013 if take-up in the private sector has not matched market need or expectations. Research shows that better thought-out and more flexible design means these changes could be made without significant additional extra costs.
Government also wants to see more 'age friendly' neighbourhoods and proposes the development of lifetime neighbourhoods. This will see a new drive with local planners and key partners, like design experts CABE, launched to promote new 'age-friendly cities'. It will look at how new developments, neighbourhoods, towns and cities can be better designed for older people.
Just as our homes have not been built with an ageing population in mind, neither have many neighbourhoods. Research suggests one million older people feel trapped in their own homes, with poor neighbourhood design a significant factor. Figures suggest that around one third of older people leave their homes on average only twice a week.
New implementation guidelines will set out how developers and councils should carefully consider better paving and kerb design, convenient access to public toilets and amenities, good street lighting, well located bus stops, information services, disabled parking bays and accessible public transport.
Eco-towns, of which ten are planned nationally, will be the first 'age-friendly cities'. The Olympic Village will also promote exemplary inclusive design and lifetime neighbourhoods, thereby maximising the potential legacy for all after the Games finish.
To better support older people in their current homes, the Government proposes:
Demographic trends show that more people are living longer. By 2026 older people will account for almost half (48%) of the increase in the total number of households. This will result in an additional 2.4 million older households than there are today.
The Strategy aims to better meet older peoples' aspirations to remain independent in later life, whilst ensuring a major new emphasis on practical prevention of accidents and injuries that can put a strain on the budgets of local councils and health services.
A new partnership to help speed up the delivery of the Capital's £3 billion house building programme was announced by Housing Minister Caroline Flint and the London Mayor Ken Livingstone.
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the Mayor and the Government are joining forces to establish the London HCA Board, a local sub-committee of the HCA responsible for helping to deliver affordable housing in London and the South East. London Boroughs will also be represented and fully engaged in this process.
The new Board will be responsible for meeting the Government's and the Mayor's objectives to:
The new HCA Board will ensure money from the HCA's investment programme and land from the London Development Agency is used to deliver the HCA's housing and regeneration programme for London and support the Mayor's housing strategy.
The Board will be chaired by Ken Livingstone and have HCA chief executive Sir Bob Kerslake sitting as vice-chairman. Strengthening the partnership will re-enforce a coherent approach to providing new housing and renewal in London.