A brand new panel has been added to the agenda of Housing Executive: Future Foundations, with a focus on future-proofing the UK’s social housing stock for an ageing population.
Longer life expectancies and lower birth rates have led to a significant demographic shift underway in the UK, with roughly 19% of the population now aged 65 and over, and the fastest growing age demographic being over-85s. This shift is projected to continue, with the 65-79 age group expected to increase by more than a third over the next 40 years, with people aged 80 and over more than doubling within that same time frame.
This demographic shift will have significant knock-on effects across the country, including high pressure on public services and social care. Housing is no exception, and social housing providers will inevitably have to prepare for caring for a significantly older population overall.
READ MORE: Report Outlines Practical Steps Out of the Housing Crisis
Housing is key to a stable, healthy life, even more so for people of old age who often carry significant additional needs and health requirements. The integration and collaboration of housing and health services is a rapidly progressing need, and housing officers are often finding themselves as the first point of contact for residents in need of support. As the population of older residents in need of housing continues to grow, providers are going to need to prepare their services to cater for a new kind of population.
Future proofing social housing for an ageing Britain will take place in Zone One, and delve into the facts and statistics of the UK’s ageing population, as well as the implications for social housing providers. How these demographic changes will impact social housing services, the integration that may be required of housing, social care and health data in order to provide a full image of residents with additional needs, and the role technology can play in ensuring residents can grow older with a sense of dignity and agency.
The conversation around our ageing population is one that may seem far beyond the horizon for some, but without the necessary groundwork and preparation being made, Britain is at risk of generations of older people growing old in homes unfit for their needs, and without the necessary infrastructure in place to ensure a comfortable, healthy home.
Secure your space at Future Foundations here, and keep an eye out for our speaker announcements beginning soon.
