Addressing the Challenges of Regenerating Sheltered Homes for Older People

With projections indicating that by 2035, nearly 29% of England's population will be over 60 years old, and the prevalence of dementia expected to double by 2040, the demand for suitable housing for seniors is escalating. Currently, two-thirds of individuals with dementia do not reside in specialised housing, exacerbating an existing shortage of suitable accommodations for the elderly.

A pivotal recommendation from the Better Social Housing Review (BSHR) panel advocates for increased funding for regeneration initiatives, aligning with our stance. This entails collaborative efforts between housing associations and the government to secure funding for the revitalisation of England's social housing.

Housing associations need to prioritise the enhancement, modernisation, or expansion of sheltered housing for seniors:

  • Meeting the growing demand for accessible housing for older individuals.

  • Providing diverse housing options tailored to the needs and preferences of seniors.

  • Ensuring flexibility and adaptability of residences to accommodate future requirements.

  • Delivering high-quality, affordable homes for current and future residents.

However, housing associations encounter various barriers in their efforts to regenerate sheltered housing for older citizens, including inadequate funding, uncertainty surrounding project commissioning, and the lack of available funding for upgrades, resulting in the potential closure of existing schemes.

To address these challenges we must consider the following:

  • Implementing a comprehensive and sustainable financial package to support housing associations in upgrading sheltered housing with long-term certainty.

  • Advocating for a strategic approach to older person's housing from entities such as Homes England and the Greater London Authority.

  • Exploring avenues for smaller housing associations to effectively engage in regeneration projects.

  • Issuing government guidance on best practices for regeneration that reflects the diverse landscape of schemes in the sector.

  • Increasing and ring-fencing funding for housing-related support to ensure parity with previous allocations to local authorities.

At Housing Sector, we remain dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of older individuals, striving to address housing challenges and foster inclusive communities for all ages.