1. The Elderflowers Model
An Innovative solution for housing active older people

2. Elderflowers Workshop 2016
Converting a good idea into a building
An outline of the history of the Elderflowers Projects efforts to build for active older people

4. Contents The Issue The Elderflowers Solution Housing crisis in general
Housing for older people
The Elderflowers Solution
Overview of the Elderflowers model
Benefits of the Elderflowers model
Problems encountered
Next Steps
Covering the development of the ideas proposed and applying them to the buildings proposed

5. Housing in General
Housing is a critical political, social and economic issue
Undersupply of housing stock is leading to price inflation in the housing market and the lack of social housing in most sectors.

6. Housing Older People
Population demographics mean that there will be an ever increasing number of older people. By 2031 it is envisaged that 23% of the population will be over 65
Housing provision needs to reflect demographic change, to provide a range of suitable housing for older people, and to fit into sustainable communities.

7. Housing for Older people
The key feature of the wide range of housing provision for older people is care.
However this is not relevant to the majority of older people who are still economically and physically active.
There is a lack of specific non-care housing provision for older people to downsize into.

8. Housing for Older people
The lack of specific attractive non-care housing provision for older people, leads to older people under-occupying large family homes into very old age (The empty nester syndrome)
See the HAPPI surveys 1 and 2 and resulting report and films for examples of new ideas

9. The Elderflowers Solution
Elderflowers Projects has undertaken detailed research into an innovative model to provide housing solutions suitable for active older people. Research started before 2003 resulted in the Elderflowers report published in 2007 (predating HAPPI survey)

10. A New Type of Housing for Active Older People

11. The Elderflowers Model
The Elderflowers model provides
A range of sustainable living accommodation
A mix of tenures – including social rental, shared ownership, ownership, and live-work suites
Community and private facilities for residents such a swimming pool and gym, internal bar/library.
An innovative organisational and management structure, managed by the residents, keeping service charges low
Accommodation immersed in the community rather than being a grey ghetto behind gates.
Some facilities open to the wider community.

12. Benefits of the Elderflowers model
The Elderflowers model provides the option of additional suitable housing for people getting older, in line with government policy on sustainable communities, and HAPPI advice.
It will allow the release of larger family homes into the market, influencing the housing supply system and the high price of houses.

13. Benefits of the Elderflowers model
An attractive alternative option for older people
Self-management and independent living for people who are active, many working into older age.
Smaller energy-efficient and newer homes will enable older people to reduce their expenditure on heating, maintenance and council tax, and owners will be able to release equity by selling their homes.

14. Benefits of the Elderflowers model
By pooling resources, more facilities can be provided for people who could not have them otherwise, such as
Broadband and digital services
renewable energy resources
shared private leisure facilities

15. Elderflowers brochure

16. Market Research
Local Market Research in Milton Keynes showed an interest in and demand for smaller homes for older people

18. Next Steps
To prove the demand model - national and local market research
Elderflowers Projects Company wants to develop the first Elderflowers complex and has been looking for potential development sites in Milton Keynes, with housing association partners.

19. Partners
Elderflowers approached Places for People first, and then had a partnership with Aragon HA
Neither of them found suitable sites for development

20. A number of meetings were held with people who had shown interest
Public participation
A number of meetings were held with people who had shown interest

23. Site Identification

25. Proposed development
160 flats and communal facilities on a sloping site in a park setting
Walking distance of shops and entertainment

27. An Elderflowers project is:
To summarise
An Elderflowers project is:

29. Problems identified Lack of money Lack of experience and track record
Procurement
Lack of publicity

30. Group Challenges
Each group to choose a challenge and suggest a solution
Feedback after 15 minutes

31. Keep in touch – register your interest
Next Steps
Keep in touch – register your interest