A selection of RHG publications is free to download. More information is available for members only.
Publications are also included here showing that better planning policies are needed to deliver housing for older people and how an improved supply of retirement housing can benefit older people, society as a whole and the economy. You may also be interested to read our report ‘Planning for retirement: how the planning system needs to change to better support the delivery of specialist housing for older people‘ which includes research on delivery, impact on the economy and our four key asks from policy makers.
The following three guides, produced by WPI discuss the many benefit to society brought about by specialist housing for older people, including to the health service and the local economy – that is in addition to the benefits to residents of having a home that is accesible, easy to heat, that provides opportunities and space for social interaction, assisting in the reduction of social isolation and loneliness.
Homes for Later Living: Silver Savious for the High Street
RHG guides
Introducing Retirement Housing This briefing is to help planning officers and organisations providing social care and health services find out how planning and other policies can be designed and implemented to meet the housing needs of older people in their area.
Health & Housing Our flyer about health & housing shows how specialist retirement housing can relieve pressure on the NHS. A useful overview of a complex topic that references published data and research.
The Case for Reduced Stamp Duty for Downsizers We show how reducing Stamp Duty on house buying can help free up more homes for younger buyers without any loss of taxation for Government.
CIL viability appraisal briefing – Comparison of the key issues affecting viability of older persons housing provision with that of general needs housing. The paper gives baseline information on the economics of provision which will assist Community Infrastructure Levy viability practitioners in those locations where there has been no recent provision of retirement housing.
Good practice: planning and economic policy
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (paragraph 63) is clear that all local councils should know and plan to meet the housing needs of their older residents
National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) has a section especially aimed at ‘Housing for Older & Disabled People’ which states that
“The need to provide housing for older people is critical. People are living longer lives and the proportion of older people in the population is increasing. In mid-2016 there were 1.6 million people aged 85 and over; by mid-2041 this is projected to double to 3.2 million. Offering older people a better choice of accommodation to suit their changing needs can help them live independently for longer, feel more connected to their communities and help reduce costs to the social care and health systems. Therefore, an understanding of how the ageing population affects housing needs is something to be considered from the early stages of plan-making through to decision-taking.”
The Guidance emphasises the importance of assessing and planning for the housing needs of older people in all tenures and the wider policy benefits of downsizing.
An Ageing Nation – Are we planning for our future? RHG member Barton Willmore reports that, even in areas with large and growing older populations, few local authorities have clear policies for housing for older people. “There is not only a shortage of specialist accommodation, but a shortage of family homes that remain occupied by older generations. …it is critical to our recovery from the current housing crisis and the future of appropriate and appealing retirement accommodation to look at how this issue might be effectively tackled.” This report looks at how policy and product might be informed and developed, looking at projections, policy in practice and how we should be responding.
Top of the Ladder – Demos’ latest housing report provides detailed evidence of the benefits of increasing the supply of housing for older people. “A lack of choice of suitable homes to downsize into is having a negative effect not just on older people’s health and wellbeing, but on the rest of the housing chain.”
The Benefits of Retirement Housing
The following publications include research and information on the benefits of Retirement Housing for individuals, their families, the community, as well as from a health & social care perspective. The first 3 reports in the list below are from longitudinal research into whether there are benefits to be gained from the provision of Extra Care Homes.
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