'Older People’s Housing Taskforce Report: The Key Points' by Nigel Saunders

Director Nigel Saunders shares a brief synopsis of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report.

"As we all consider our goals for 2025, I took the opportunity to revisit the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report released at the end of 2024.

"I’m pleased that I did – and I recommend it to anyone with an interest in how we approach some of the challenges facing the UK’s housing needs, particularly focussed upon the current and growing needs of our ageing population.

"The report is very clearly set-out and identifies 10 key recommendations, along with actions to move forwards.

"It is an exciting time to be involved in the housing needs of our ageing population. The case for addressing these needs is compelling on many levels, coupled with the Government’s announcement last week to launch the adult social care reform commission. As an architects’ practice, at Pozzoni our work and research focusses heavily in this area.

"Key points for me that jumped-out from the Report, in no particular order include:

• The importance of “home” and “community” to people at all stages in life. A sense of belonging, with safety and security.
• No “one size fits all” solution – more housing choices are needed, including help with adaptations to enable people to remain in their own home if they so wish.
• New build homes of all types to be M4(2) for accessibility and future adaptability needs.
• Demystifying what is meant by the various housing-for-ageing terminologies, to help understanding amongst professionals, funders, local authority planners and occupiers alike.
• The need to build at scale in order to provide economical models. We currently build circa 7,000 later living homes each year, but require a build rate of 30-50,000.
• Innovation in design is needed to help reduce build costs.
• Innovation in Tenure is needed to help increase attractiveness and accessibility for potential residents.
• A joined-up national strategic approach is urgently needed to cover housing, health and social care, acknowledging the cost-benefits to the NHS & social care in getting this “right”.
• Our Town Planning system needs to adapt and address the breadth of needs, plus provide clarity and consistency around C2 / C3 use class designations.
• Urgent need to address the factors that can hold-back investor confidence: planning, regulation, tenure charging models, affordability, scale, Government support.

"The Government’s response to the Report is now awaited, but as a community of private, public and third sector partners, addressing this need is an opportunity for us all to collaborate towards a big social-impact benefit. At Pozzoni, we’re very much looking forward to discussing how we can realise these recommendations with all those involved in the sector."

The Report of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce, for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Department of Health and Social Care can be found here.