Brown ignores housing needs of older people

Government plans to ease the country's housing shortage by building three million homes by 2020 have ignored the housing needs of the country’s ageing population, a national body claims.

ERoSH says that Housing Minister Yvette Cooper's promise to deliver "housing for the many and not just the few" in yesterday's housing green paper cannot be justified if the government fails to address the housing needs of the elderly.

Earlier this month, the charity undertook research which revealed that 1.5 million elderly people could be without adequate housing by 2020 if the Government fails to address the needs of an ageing population.

With one of the largest ageing populations in Europe, it is estimated that the number of people over retirement age in Britain will rise to approximately 22 million by 2020 which, according to ERoSH, could result in a huge housing deficit.

Over three quarters of a million people now live in sheltered housing in the UK and despite a general assumption that older people will stay put in their own homes as they age, with pension deficits looming and a rising tide of older people requiring support services, ERoSH warns this figure is set to rise.

In urging the government to consider the housing needs of the elderly, Michele Hollywood, chairperson of ERoSH, explains: "I think it's great that the government are finally addressing the housing shortage in Britain, but I find it totally inconceivable that the needs of a huge segment of our society have been completely overlooked.

"With up to 90% of the over 60s generation spending most of their time at home, it is widely acknowledged that good quality housing, care and support services make a huge difference to many older people’s lives.

"We'll shortly have more people aged over 55 than under 16 and not enough adequate housing to address these requirements. While the needs of first-time buyers and young families will be catered for in the government’s new plans, those of the future generations of older people have been disregarded. Unless the need for more appropriate housing is addressed promptly, a huge proportion of older people will most certainly suffer the consequences."

Sheltered housing is for older people who value their independence, relish a community spirit and live life to the full. For more information call 0800 95 44 207 or visit www.leadashelteredlife.co.uk