Government launches ‘age friendly’ housing strategy
Filed Under Country Curtain | Posted on March 1, 2008
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In a move to ensure that Britain%26#39;s housing stock remains suitable for an ageing population, ministers want every new home to feature staircases wide enough for stair-lifts, wider doorways to accommodate wheelchairs, as well as downstairs bathrooms.
The strategy %26quot;Lifetime homes: Lifetime Neighbourhoods%26quot; calls for more homes that can be easily adapted to respond to changes in individual circumstances and promises that by 2011 all new homes built by housing associations will meet these standards.
Elderly charities have welcomed the plans.
Paul Cann, director of policy and external relations at Help the Aged, said: %26quot;We live in an ageing population and our housing must meet the needs of older people, both now and in the future. We%26#39;re delighted the Government seems to have taken this on board.%26quot;
The strategy aims to avoid costly adaptations to homes in the future and design neighbourhoods around %26quot;older peoples%26#39; aspirations%26quot;.
It is hoped the strategy will help more elderly people live independent lives and without the need to go to hospital.
The strategy 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%26#39;s aspirations and preventative care, placing the needs of older people at the heart of policy making.
Hazel Blears said:
%26quot;Demand for housing is high - being driven to a large extent by older people. Not only do we need to build more homes, but the right kind of homes too. That means %26#39;lifetime homes%26#39; suited to families with pushchairs right through to older people in wheelchairs.
%26quot;By making age friendly changes both inside and outside of homes we can help to break the link between old age and dependency.%26quot;
The Ageing Strategy focuses on the work that is being done by government in the short and longer term to improve housing and neighbourhoods to make them better meet the needs of older people.
Housing Minister Caroline Flint added:
%26quot;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.
%26quot;Meeting the needs of an ageing population is one of the major challenges we are facing as a society. But whilst it%26#39;s a big challenge, even a small change or adaption to a home can transform an older person%26#39;s life.%26quot;
The National Housing Federation has welcomed the plans but said it could go further.
Federation chief executive David Orr said, %26quot;Let%26#39;s be clear about what is being announced today. The Prime Minister is making a very welcome call for all new homes built by housing associations to meet Lifetime Homes standards from 2011. But this will apply to just one in three homes. It will be at least another two years before private developers are expected to follow suit.%26quot;
However, the Federation said there was much to commend in the rest of the Government%26#39;s strategy, particularly its emphasis on early intervention to prevent problems mounting up in the future, and the extension of services like handy persons schemes across the country.
Orr added:
%26quot;We are particularly delighted to see recognition of the importance of housing in preventing people needing to use more expensive services which can undermine their independence.
%26quot;However, delivering meaningful housing options for older people that promote choice and independence will need to be backed by the resources for re-modelling as well as for new provision.
%26quot;We are committed to working with government to help them shape the delivery of the strategy, and see this as a very important step towards achieving the sort of housing we need for our society in the future.%26quot;
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