The report was commissioned by Communities and Local Government as part of a larger project to support the development of the National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society. Researchers at the University of York undertook eight focus groups composed of ‘younger’ older people (aged 48 to 64), and ‘older’ old people (aged 65 and above) to explore the infl uences on participants’ housing decisions, and their future housing intentions and aspirations. The groups were located in different parts of England, including rural, urban and suburban areas. Groups were purposefully recruited to include people who owned their own properties, or were renting from the social and private rented sectors, older people with disabilities, older people from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, and older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

In line with the findings of other research most people expressed their preference for remaining in their own homes, and most felt that their homes could be adapted for any future needs. However, those participants in the groups who had moved or were seeking to move highlighted the importance of making decisions when you are well and able to cope with change and upheaval, but also when you have the time to make considered decisions, and view different options.

Older people’s housing decisions are influenced by a range of complex factors: attachment to home, family relationships, neighbours and neighbourhood, access to services and facilities. Housing has to be seen in the wider context, with particular attention to location, community safety, accessible transport, and the availability of sustainable local services. In particular, the complexity of family relationships (for example, the need to provide accommodation for young people, and to support older relatives) must be refl ected in future housing provision, both in terms of design (for example, it would be wrong to assume that family housing does not need to take account of the need for adaptations, or accessible bathrooms and toilets) but also in terms of allocation of properties in the public sector.

Centre for Housing Policy - University of York
Heslington
YO10 5DD York
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1904 321480
Fax: +44 1904 321481
chp@york.ac.uk
Karen Croucher (Research Fellow), tel. +44 1904 321480

28/02/2008

Karen Croucher

research

Urban Policy > Housing

Housing policy