NHF: Older people's homes strategy is a step in the right direction- but could go further

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Monday, 25, Feb 2008 12:00

The National Housing Federation has welcomed the Government’s flagship strategy for housing in an ageing society, launched today by Gordon Brown, but has some fears it may fail to meet its aspirations because of a lack of clear commitments to action backed by the necessary resources.

The strategy “Lifetime homes: Lifetime Neighbourhoods” 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.

The Federation agrees it is essential that general housing provision meets the needs of an ageing society through better planning, design and quality, with reference to both internal and external space. Good design needs to be “hard wired” into developments at the earliest stage possible to minimise additional costs associated with the improved standards. The Federation supported the inclusion of the Lifetime Homes Standard in the Code for Sustainable Homes but wants private developers to be required to meet the same timetable through building regulations.

Although housing associations will be building homes to Lifetime standards by 2011, it will be another two years before people who buy from private developers, who build two thirds of new homes, get the benefits of these new standards. Even then, adoption of lifetime homes remains “aspirational” with no firm commitment to make the standards mandatory through building regulations.

Federation chief executive David Orr said, “Let’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.”

However, the Federation said there was much to commend in the rest of the Government’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.

The strategy endorses the key role of specialist housing * recognising that one in four older people will choose to use this at some point in their lives * and makes pledges to improve and further develop the range of options available.

Mr Orr added:

“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.

"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.

"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.”

For further information contact:

Paul Rees, paulrees@housing.org.uk, 020 7067 1026 / 07974 826587 Joe Dumont, joed@housing.org.uk, 020 7067 1028 / 07990 638946

Notes to editors

The National Housing Federation represents 1300 independent, not-for-profit housing associations in England. Together, our members provide two million affordable homes for around five million people. www.housing.org.uk Joe Dumont Media Officer National Housing Federation 020 7067 1028 07990 638946

The National Housing Federation represents 1,300 not-for-profit housing associations. Collectively, our members provide 2 million homes and community services for 5 million people. www.housing.org.uk Housing associations are 'iN business for neighbourhoods'. They have made fresh commitments to neighbourhoods, customers and excellence. For more information see www.iNbiz.org

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