APPG Inquiry: Regeneration of Outdated Sheltered Housing

APPG Housing and Care for Older People

Chaired by Lord Best, this APPG on Housing and Care for Older People’s Inquiry looked at the regeneration outdated sheltered housing.

While the focus of the government’s Older People’s Housing Task Force is primarily on the supply of new, purpose-built retirement housing for an ageing population, this Inquiry looked at how best to regenerate our existing supply of outdated sheltered housing – from modernisation and extensions to repurposing and replacing older stock and service models – for our 21st century expectations.

The Inquiry's report was launched on 23 July 2024 at the House of Lords, calling for urgent upgrades to the estimated 527,000 sheltered housing properties in the UK.

Researched and written by the Housing LIN, and funded by Abbeyfield, the report highlights:

  • the need for modern, accessible homes for older residents,
  • showcases successful regeneration projects, and
  • urges investment in refurbishments, emphasising the health benefits. 

Further Details

Final Inquiry report

The report, aimed at policymakers, governmental agencies and housing providers, stresses the need to upgrade existing sheltered housing and showcases successful regeneration examples, while acknowledging financial constraints faced by providers.

It calls on the Government, Homes England and the Greater London Authority to invest in refurbishing sheltered housing to ensure decent homes for older people. It also urges social landlords to consider the broader social benefits, such as improved mental and physical health, from upgrading these homes.

It also highlights the need for a contemporary service model in sheltered housing, balancing on-site and non-resident staff presence and integrating technology to enhance resident interaction and support. Evidence from various contributors demonstrates the positive impact of sheltered housing, advocating for sector growth and regeneration of existing assets.

Disclaimer

This is not an official website of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees. All-Party Parliamentary Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in these webpages are those of the group.

Terms of Reference

Inquiry Objectives

To explore the problems and opportunities arising from the age, condition and locality of ‘sheltered’ housing, i.e. accommodation built exclusively for older people, mostly by local authorities and housing associations from the 1960s to the 1990s.

To bring forward recommendations accordingly for the Government, local authorities, registered providers of social housing and private sector retirement housing operators.

Modus Operandi

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Housing and Care for Older People established an Inquiry Panel to take evidence – both written and in-person – on three aspects of regeneration of outdated housing for older people:

  1. Upgrading the service model: technology, housing management, customer experience.
  2. Upgrade, modernisation, and extension of outdated sheltered housing.
  3. Demolition, replacement, and repurposing outdated sheltered housing.

The Inquiry panel met approximately every three months over a period of a year, inviting interested parties to present evidence and discuss the issues raised, with site visits to a sample of sheltered housing schemes undertaken during the inquiry period.

Inquiry Membership

The Inquiry Panel comprised:

Parliamentarians:

  • Lord Richard Best (Chair)
  • Peter Aldous MP (co-chair)
  • Baroness Kay Andrews
  • Baroness Liz Barker
  • Ruth Cadbury MP
  • Lord Ben Stoneham
  • Lord George Young of Cookham

Non-Parliamentarians:

  • Jonathan Jamison, Assistant Director, Adult Social Care, Newcastle City Council
  • Neil Revely, Chair Housing Policy Network/Adviser, ADASS/LGA
  • Hugh Owen, Director of Strategy and Public Affairs, Riverside
  • Kathryn Fox-Rogers, Chief Operating Officer, Johnnie Johnson Housing
  • Paul Teverson, Director of Communications, McCarthy Stone
  • Abdul Ravat, Head of Development & Relationships, Abbeyfield
  • Paul Tennant, CEO, Abbeyfield
  • David McMahon, Director, Ryder Architecture
  • Mick Rose, Resident, Housing 21
  • Samantha Rowland, Head of Health Care and Senior Living, BNP Paribas
  • Jeremy Porteus, Chief Exec, Housing LIN

Inquiry Secretariat

Jeremy Porteus, CEO of the Housing Learning and Improvement Network (LIN) and Lois Beech, Consultancy and Partnerships Manager at the Housing LIN acted as Secretariat for the Inquiry.

Funding

This APPG is grateful to Abbeyfield (opens new window) for their sponsorship of this Inquiry.

Timetable

  • First Inquiry Session - 20th June 2023
    Topic: Inception Meeting
  • Second Inquiry Session - 5th September 2023
    Topic: upgrading the service model: technology, housing management, customer experience.
  • Third Inquiry Session - 14th November 2023
    Topic: demolition, replacement and repurposing of outdated sheltered housing
  • Fourth Inquiry Session - 10th January 2024
    Topic: upgrade, modernisation and extension of outdated sheltered housing
  • Fifth Inquiry Session - 6th March 2024
    Topic: conclusions and recommendations

Preliminary findings - 6 March 2024

The preliminary findings and recommendations were presented at a meeting on Wednesday 6 March 2024 at the House of Lords, a recording of which is available below, and input from those who attended the event will help the Inquiry shape its final report, which is due to be launched in early June.

Further details of this meeting and slides from the presentation are available here.

Contact

For enquiries relating to this inquiry, contact: info@housinglin.org.uk

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