New report from National Policy for the Built Environment Committee

The Centre for Ageing Better responds to a report from the National Policy for the Built Environment Committee which asserts the importance of delivering a better built environment and criticises current government policy as unlikely to meet demand for either the quantity or quality of houses needed. The Committee is concerned about the quality of new developments, and about the risk of housing delivery being prioritised at the expense of other elements of the built environment.

Anna Dixon, Chief Executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “Our homes impact on whether we can enjoy a healthy and happy later life. Inadequate and inappropriate housing can be costly – both for the individual and the state. We know that poor housing has a detrimental impact on an individual’s health and ability to remain active as well as cost implications for the state through increased use of health and social care.

"The Centre for Ageing Better is working with others to ensure that new homes and neighbourhoods are better suited to people as they age as well as increasing the housing choices for people in later life.

"We will gather and share knowledge of what works with local planners and developers. We will also develop and share the evidence for how current housing can be improved and adapted to better suit people as they age, ensuring those people who want to remain in their own homes can do so confidently.”