A National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society 5 June 2007 Jane Everton Communities and Local Government

2 Housing in an Ageing Society The National Picture Demographic change Challenges and Opportunities National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society

3 What do we know about Housing and Older People? 30% of households are headed by an older person, with most single and couple households. Over 60% of over-85s live alone Among households headed by someone aged 55+ years 76% are owner-occupiers 17% council or HA tenants and 7% private tenants Half a million lived in sheltered accommodation in a 75% increase since Older people are twice as likely to be in fuel poverty A third of older people live in non-decent housing, with the worst conditions in the private rented sector Approximately half of all the accidental dwelling fire deaths in England and Wales occur among the over 60s Older people spend 70-90% of time at home

4 Society is ageing… Over 65s will increase by 2 million by 2015 The oldest old is the fastest growing group… 40% more people over 75 by % more people over 85 by 2031 Those aged 65+ make up 46% of projected household increases between Source: Office for National Statistics …and some areas are likely to see very rapid increases Actual change in numbers over state pension age by area ( ) Demographic change … the single biggest demographic challenge of our time

5 Will tomorrow’s older people be the same as today’s? More ‘older old’ More older people from black and minority ethnic groups The baby boomer generation? Owner occupation and right to buy? More polarised by wealth? Source: Office for National Statistics Demographic change

6 Challenges Poor housing is linked to poor health e.g. Falls alone cost the NHS £726m a year 40% aged 80 and over report a long term illness or disability There are 1.5 million people with a medical condition or disability requiring specially adapted accommodation 1/6 th men and 1/3 rd women will enter a care home at some point on a long term basis. Reducing the rate of institutionalisation by 1% could save £3.8bn (PSSRU 1998) - 51% go into care home after hospitalisation because a return home is not practical - 79% are admitted because their physical health means they cannot cope in their home environment - 15% are admitted directly because of serious housing problems

7 Challenges JRF estimate long-term care costs will rise by 300 percent by 2051 Social Services in some areas are already at ‘critical’ ”Housing must be taken seriously and improving housing conditions as part of preventative strategies” Royal Commission into Funding of Long Term Care

8 Supporting People Supporting People - service users who are supported to establish and maintain independent living in the South West (KPI 1 returns for July-Sept 2006) 98% Frail Elderly 95.7% Older people with mental health problems / dementia 98.6% Older people with support needs

9 Opportunities Ageing isn’t about inevitable decline into dependency. Older people are workers, entrepreneurs, consumers, holidaymakers, leaders and carers… Over 50’s account for… 40% of consumer spending 60% of total savings 80% of UK wealth

10 A Government Priority Opportunity Age (2005) Wanless Social Care Review (2006) Investment in Link Age plus pilots POPPS Telecare Warmfront, etc HMT review of Older People’s Intensive Services

11 A National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society The SEU report A Sure Start to Later Life – Ending Inequalities for Older People (January 2006) committed DCLG, working with DH, DEFRA and external partners, to developing a strategy for housing and older people Working with HOPDEV

12 Scope and Vision All tenure groups Mainstream and specialist housing Existing stock and new build Housing support services All older people will have housing that supports them to live happy, healthy, active and independent lives in inclusive communities.

13 Key Aims The strategy must… Be integrated with wider housing and planning policy Draw on the best available evidence Build on success and encourage innovation Generate public debate about what we want for our future

14 Key Aims New build A new direction of travel – to ensure that the houses we build today are fit for purpose in meeting changing needs and aspirations. Planning and sustainable communities Inclusive high quality design Lifetime Homes Standard Lifetime neighbourhoods

15 Key Aims Existing stock Ensuring quality flexibility and lifetime resilience of existing stock Decent Homes; review of existing specialist stock DFG Consultation Equity release Only around a third of the stock we will be living in by 2050, will be built between now and then 78% older householders own their own home. Over 65s hold £460bn un-mortgaged equity in their homes; nearly half expect to access equity in their property

16 Key Aims Meeting individual needs Independence, choice and control at home, supported by coherent preventative services. HIA services – small-scale adaptations information and advice Piloting Individual Budgets Prevention – King’s Fund research Australian research found a 58% reduction in falls among households offered adaptive equipment (Thompson, 1996); US research found a 60% reduction following provision of minor home safety modifications (Plautz et al, 1996)

17 A National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society Do you have any good practice or innovative solutions to share What should the vision be? What are the most persuasive arguments and statistics? What are your priorities?

18 What happens next? Pre-strategy consultation document on Communities and Local Government website Strategy publication Summer 2007 Please get in touch with the team: A National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society