“The Taskforce has been set up to further understand the market in England for older people’s housing today and make recommendations for shaping it in the future - particularly for those of lower and middle incomes. This includes broadening provision and choice for older people, including supporting them to continue living in their current home if they wish to do so. The taskforce will also examine the issues faced by older people when seeking to move into more appropriate or specialist housing, and how these can be addressed.”

The work of the Taskforce is divided into 3 workstreams (People, Products and Places), with its 19 members each assigned to one or more workstreams.

In addition a ‘Call for Evidence’ was issued in July to a long list of organisations and individuals, inviting them to contribute their views.

John Galvin, CEO of EAC, was delighted to take up an invitation to join the taskforce, and hopes to contribute primarily in two areas:

Understanding the market in specialist housing for older people, drawing on analysis of EAC’s comprehensive national directories of all forms of retirement housing, and of services that aim to help older people age successfully at home;

Making the case for a national information and advice service, specialising in ‘housing and care options’ for older people, to help them and their families understand the options available and arrive at informed decisions.

EAC presentations to the Taskforce include:

Understanding the retirement housing market in 2023: a short intro to retirement housing provision in the UK - Download

EAC interim suggestions to Taskforce: awareness-raising and preparatory projects - Download

Information and Advice – focusing on the detail: EAC’s view on what a new I&A service should comprise - Download