Professional alliance launches manifesto for older people’s housing
A national strategy is needed urgently to address the housing needs of our ageing population, according to the Housing and Ageing Alliance (HAA).

The call is among a 15-point plan published today by the HAA, an alliance of senior leaders from a wide range of organisations including Age UK, Independent Age and the National Housing Federation.

Creating Homes We Want to Grow Old In: A 15-Point Plan from the Housing and Ageing Alliance calls for a national older people’s housing strategy, strengthened information and advice, more support for home adaptation and strengthened planning guidance to increase the supply of older people’s housing.

HAA Chair Mario Ambrosi said: “Our ageing population brings colossal change and is a surprise to precisely no one. Yet public policies and systems are increasingly inadequate for the challenges and opportunities it brings.”

“Everyone deserves an affordable, accessible home. Our 15-point plan sets out practical steps that Government can put in place now to enable people to age in place while increasing the supply of aspirational homes designed specifically for older people’s needs.

Ambrosi, also Director of Communications and Marketing at Anchor, added: “Actions such as implementing the government commitment to increase accessibility standards of new homes can happen immediately. At the same time, Government should develop a national older people’s housing strategy to drive a shift in supply to address needs of the older people of tomorrow.”

“We are grateful to Older People’s Housing Taskforce chair Professor Julienne Meyer for engaging so proactively with alliance members. While we understand the taskforce cannot address every area of older people’s housing, we look forward to seeing the recommendations and urge all political parties to act on them.”

The Housing and Ageing Alliance is made up of individuals from local and national organisations working together with a single objective; to bring about improvements to the housing and living conditions of older people. It’s membership includes:

The membership of the Alliance reflects a range of housing interests, including older people who are active in housing related networks, national organisations from the statutory, voluntary and private sectors and those involved in policy development and representation on various housing related advisory bodies. 

Creating Homes We Want to Grow Old In: A 15-Point Plan from the Housing and Ageing Alliance is available here: Housing and Ageing Alliance manifesto 2024 PDF

Members of the Housing and Ageing Alliance are:

  • Age Action Alliance
  • Age UK
  • The Almshouse Association
  • Anchor
  • Associated Retirement Community Operators (ARCO)
  • Centre for Ageing Better
  • Chartered Institute of Housing
  • Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC)
  • Foundations
  • Habinteg
  • Housing Learning & Improvement Network (Housing LIN)
  • Independent Age
  • International Longevity Centre-UK
  • McCarthy Stone
  • National Housing Federation
  • Northern Housing Consortium
  • Older People’s Housing Champions
  • Royal College of Occupational Therapists
  • Town & Country Planning Association.
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