Shaping future housing for an ageing population
Abbeyfield Living Society (ALS) was represented on 24th September 2026 at a meeting between the Board of Homes England and representatives of the Housing and Ageing Alliance (HAA) in Liverpool, entitled Our Future Homes: Housing that promotes wellbeing and community for an ageing population, and attended by our Head of Growth and Development, Abdul A. Ravat, who is also former Chair of the National Housing Federation’s Older Person’s Housing Group.
The meeting examined changes in demographics and financial wellbeing of older people in the UK, discussed how Homes England could help deliver key recommendations made by the Older People’s Housing Taskforce to the Government, and Homes England’s role in helping to deliver affordable, inclusive housing for older people, in collaboration with developers, to meet the needs of current and future generations as part of meeting the Government's target to build 1.5 million homes.
The overriding theme of the meeting was the need to start delivering housing for an ageing population, as opposed to thinking solely about the housing needs of older people today. Central to the discussion was the presentation of three case studies, which included one on Abbeyfield’s Burnham Court, and independent living complex in Malmesbury.
This example showed how ALS was faced with challenges in the later living market, which left residents and their families out of pocket and unable to sell their leasehold properties. It overcame these challenges by using capital from the Homes England Recycle Capital Grand Fund to buy back and convert these leasehold properties and return them to productive use, thereby increasing the affordable housing supply to help meet the demands of the local ageing population without the need for new development work, and relieving the financial burden on the former owners. The success of this project presents a scalable model that can help address market failures whilst increasing affordable housing supply, which can be incorporated into the Government’s 10-year Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP).
Abdul said, “The UK is rapidly moving towards a super-ageing society and by 2030, one in four people will be aged >65 years. This will place significant pressure on our housing, social care, economic and health system that requires deep thought and bold actions to plan for an increasingly ageing and diverse population.
I am truly grateful to Pat Ritchie for facilitating this important discussion with the Board of Homes England and allowing me and my fellow colleagues from the Housing & Ageing Alliance and respond to the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population.
This also provided the space to share positive practice of schemes and funding flexibility that is creating outcomes for older people in places and communities cross-the-board. Really pleased to use Abbeyfield's Burnham Court as an example of addressing market failure and ensure consumer protection".
Also presenting alongside Abdul at the meeting were HAA Co-Chair and Director of Communications and Marketing at Anchor, Mario Ambrosi; His fellow HAA Co-chair and Chair of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce, Professor Julienne Meyer CBE; and CEO of Housing LIN and its recently launched Suitable Housing for our Ageing Population Evidence in action (SHAPE) programme, Jeremy Porteus.
ALS CEO, Paul Tennant OBE, added, “As the Abbeyfield Movement has been celebrating its 70th anniversary since Richard Carr-Gomm registered the organisation we have undoubtedly made a difference to many people lives across eleven countries and four continents.
We are delighted to have been part of this important discussion with Homes England. To plan for an ageing population, we all need to think about housing, address ageing in a way that is valued rather than reviled, promote wellbeing, and create inclusive communities where people have genuine, affordable choices to live safely and comfortably."
Following our sponsorship of the APPG Inquiry into Housing and Care for Older People, the final report was launched at the House of Lords calling for urgent government action to update sheltered housing to meet modern standards. Explore the session highlights and key recommendations.
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