A new report recommends that the design and development of new homes for older people must become a national priority if the UK is to avoid a future housing crisis.
Launched by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), in partnership with Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the Department of Health, the Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (HAPPI) report calls for positive action in response to the UK's ageing population.
With the number of over 60 year-olds projected to increase by 7 million over the next 25 years and much of the UK's existing housing stock inaccessible or unsuitable, the lack of good quality homes for older people is a real concern.
The value of good design allows older people to stay at home for longer, avoiding falls and related treatment. HAPPI recommends specific components for the design of housing for older people which mirror the internal domestic environment of the housing industry in Europe, where apartment homes are a conventional part of urban culture.
In Europe, older people experience the benefits of greater security and less maintenance, and enjoy the conviviality of shared space. Homes for older people should be at the heart of existing places and communities.
The Government-sponsored HAPPI report makes a series of recommendations, including:
The report is the culmination of extensive investigations by a panel of experts, including representatives of residents and champions of older people's causes. The panel met residents, engaged with stakeholders, and visited developments in the UK and abroad that have delivered successful and innovative housing ideas.
The HAPPI Panel was commissioned by Communities and Local Government as part of its commitments in the Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods strategy, which aims to make homes and communities more age-friendly.
CLG will be working with partners, such as the Department for Health, to include a new category of Housing for Older People within the 2010 Housing Design Awards, to encourage innovative new ideas in age-friendly design.