The design and provision of housing is getting more difficult day by day, week by week (or should that be wheeze by wheeze). From 2013 , the Government wants new standards for all new homes making a fundamental change. 16 key features make up the ‘Lifetime Homes’ standard and will mean such things as wider doors, improved design of bathrooms and staircases wide enough to take stair lifts – ending the need for costly adaptions.
Housing Minister Caroline Flint said:"This is about giving all older people a better choice. The vast majority of people want to stay independent in a suitable home at they get older. We have a responsibility to support that desire by increasing the housing choices that are available. "Meeting the needs of an ageing population is one of the major challenges we are facing as a society. But whilst it's a big challenge, even a small change or adaption to a home can transform an older person's life."
Announcements to 'future proof' all new homes means that From 2013, there will be new standards for all new homes to ensure they are built to age friendly designs marking a fundamental change in the way we currently build homes. To accelerate progress, from 2011, all new social housing will be built to the 'Lifetime Homes' standards - ensuring the public sector is leading the way in supporting older people. By 2011 the intention is to build 50 per cent more social housing than we do today. Tens of thousands of tenants, it is reckoned, will benefit from the new standards.
The Government also wants to see more age-friendly lifetime neighbourhoods. They believe new regional developments, towns and local communities can be better designed for older people.
Forum Questions:
Developers are said to be holding their heads in despair. Is that true?
It is really possible for homes to be designed for lifetime flexibility, ie be all things to all men, women, children, the infirm, the disabled, the dysfunctional.....?
Isn't future-proofing more about social change and interaction - the better way is where the old in so many other countries are looked after and remain part of their families?
Do you have anything to say about this?
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Just as our homes have not been built with an ageing population in mind, neither have many neighbourhoods - research suggests one million older people feel trapped in their own homes with poor neighbourhood design a significant factor. Figures suggest that around one third of older people leave their homes on average only twice a week.
New implementation guidelines will set out how developers and councils should carefully consider better paving and kerb design, convenient access to public toilets and amenities, good street lighting, well located bus stops, information services, disabled parking bays and accessible public transport. Eco-towns, of which ten are planned nationally, will be the first 'agefriendly cities'.
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) welcomed the Government’s initiative and applauded the strategy to address what could be a demographic time-bomb.
Sarah Webb, CIH Chief Executive, said: “Providing decent housing and care for older people isn’t a matter of choice, it’s a moral and economic necessity. We need to ensure that our homes and communities are built and maintained with an increasingly active ageing population in mind. If we get this right, not only will we be providing housing that lives up to older people’s expectations, but we will also be able to make significant progress is preventing home related injuries and illness and save money by reducing demand on health services.”
She added, “Importantly, we cannot get into a situation where we have to choose between ecohomes and lifetime homes – they are both equally crucial – and we are delighted to see that this strategy recognises this explicitly through its commitment to making all eco-towns lifetime neighbourhoods.”
