However, the focus must not just be on increasing the number of homes brought to market but expanding market choice to cater to the diverse needs of older people and we’ve spent some time looking at one protected characteristics group in particular.
How can we create vibrant and inclusive retirement communities?
18 Apr 23
Nowhere is the UK’s housing shortage felt more acutely than the later living sector. The 2022 Mayhew Review[1] found that the UK is failing to adapt to the impact of an ageing population. Leading academic on ageing societies, Professor Les Mayhew, says that with the number of over-65s set to exceed 17 million by 2040, the Government should initiate an accelerated programme of constructing older people’s housing with up to 50,000 new units a year, on top of the meagre 7,000 currently built annually.
However, the focus must not just be on increasing the number of homes brought to market but expanding market choice to cater to the diverse needs of older people and we’ve spent some time looking at one protected characteristics group in particular.
Building Safe Choices (2020)[2] captured the ‘voice of demand’ of older LGBT+ people in London. The survey found that 64% and 25% of respondents would prefer to receive care from either an LGBT+ specific, or an LGBT+ accredited provider in later life, respectively. This is because many older LGBT+ people in the UK are surveyed as showing they do not believe their needs can be met in the mainstream sector and are looking for an option which offers safe and appropriate services that recognise and respond to their life experiences.
Research by Stonewall (2011)[3] found that LGBT+ people over 55 are:
- More likely to be single and live alone,
- Less likely to see biological family members on a regular basis, and
- Twice as likely to rely on external services due to their lack of informal support in later life
Widening choice within the later living market is therefore essential, and Tonic Housing are trying to do just that. We caught up recently with Anna Kear, CEO of Tonic Housing, and she gave us an insight into the exciting product they offer at BankHouse in Vauxhall. The UK’s first LGBT+ affirming extra-care scheme puts community at the forefront of everything they do. Beyond the facilities available to residents including a floating garden and roof terrace, Tonic focus on creating and sustaining community through monthly film nights, gallery visits and art workshops.
The Government recently announced the arrival of the long-awaited Older People’s Housing Task Force, which will work across the housing, heath, and care sectors to drive an increase in the volume and range of housing options and make recommendations to the Government. But how else can the planning system support widening choice in the later living sector? Iceni are keen to support Tonic Housing as they stride towards their goal to create vibrant, inclusive urban LGBT+ affirming retirement communities across the UK, and we are beginning to explore how planning policy can be developed to encourage LGBT+ retirement communities with Local Planning Authorities. If you’re interested in Tonic’s housing offer, perhaps to help unlock a difficult site, or our work, please get in touch.
[1] ILC (2022) The Mayhew Review: Future-proofing retirement living. [online] Available at:https://ilcuk.org.uk/mayhew-review/
[2] Tonic Housing, Stonewall, and Opening Doors (2020) Building Safe Choices. [online] Available at: https://www.buildingsafechoices.org.uk/2020-report/
[3] Stonewall (2011) Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People in Later Life. [online] Available at: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/sites/default/files/LGB_people_in_Later_Life__2011_.pdf