Future of an Ageing Population

4.1 Changing demand for housing
In the next 25 years, the UK’s ageing population will drive considerable change
in the demand for housing. The proportion of households where the oldest
person is 85 or over will grow faster than for any other age group – by 2037
there are projected to be 1.42 million more such households in England, an
increase of 161% (see Figure 4.1). Homes that meet the needs of older people
will therefore be in greater demand.
5
Number of households (millions)
4
3
2
1
0
Under 25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75-84 85+
Age group (years)
Year:
2012 2037
Figure 4.1: Head of household in England by age, estimations for 2012 and projections for 2037 81 .
35% of households currently consist of older people living either alone or as
a couple 82 , but most homes were designed for families and 42% of homes in
England and Wales have three bedrooms 83 . As a result, there are concerns
that housing designed for families is being occupied by older people. Evidence
suggests that there are substantial numbers of people who would like to move
to smaller homes, but cannot find a suitable property 82 . Without action, the
ageing population will exacerbate any existing shortage in housing that meets
older people’s needs.
While the older population is so diverse that it is inappropriate to suggest that
there is an ‘ideal’ home, there is consensus that the home should enable people
to maintain a good quality of life and be adaptable to suit their health and care
needs 82 . Over half of the non-specialised housing stock is estimated to require
structural alterations to provide suitable access for older people, and over a
quarter of inaccessible homes are not adaptable at all 82 .
P51