Industry Viewfinder When it came to their own housing stock, 62% of our respondents would
describe half or less of their properties in management as suitable for those 85 or older, with just 26% describing the majority of their housing stock as such, and 12% being unsure. Despite this, even at present, when asked what percentage of their tenants
they would estimate as 65 or older, this was on average 34%. Similarly, the majority of our respondents (61%) believe the average age of their tenants is already increasing, with just 10% believing it is decreasing, and 29% staying the same. Supporting this, the majority (74%) of our respondents argued that the
number of older adults renting in general has increased in recent decades, and 90% agreed that the UK population as a whole is ageing.
WHAT’S COMING As indicated above, it is widely agreed in the UK (and in much of the world at present) that due to a number of factors – not the least being our ever-increasing life spans – the average age of the population is going to continue to increase. Unfortunately, when it comes to our ability to meet these demands in the
future, our research was not entirely promising. When asked if they believe the UK’s housing stock as a whole is not prepared
for the ageing of our population, the majority agreed – with 69% saying yes, just 20% saying no, and 11% being unsure. Even when it came to the overall quality of the country’s housing stock as a
whole, things didn’t seem to be improving. When asked whether they believe the quality of the UK’s housing stock has
improved, worsened, or stayed the same in recent decades, for instance, just over half (55%) believed that our housing stock has either remained the same or worsened, with just 41% believing it’s improved, and 5% being unsure. It was not all doom and gloom here, however. When asked if they expected
more of their accommodation to meet the needs of residents aged over 85 in the next 10 years, for example, the majority (72%) said yes. Also, when asked if they would support the introduction of a ‘Good Home Agency’ – a local authority body to ensure access to information and advice
“Do you believe the average age of your tenants is increasing or decreasing?”
on the finance, home repairs and adaptations, particularly for those with older residents – 79% said yes.
IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM WHAT WE CAN DO How we deal with many of the problems this potentially unsustainable balance introduces is outside the scope of this whitepaper. Despite this, there are in fact many aspects of an ageing population that housing professionals’ can combat, with the capability to ensure at least that the
“What percentage of your tenants would you estimate are 65 or older?”
22 | HMMJune/July 2022 |
www.housingmmonline.co.uk
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