Can self-funders afford housing with care? A guide for providers and commissioners

This Housing LIN 'Housing with Care Affordability Guide' aims to help providers and commissioners of housing with care (HWC) understand affordability from the perspective of self-funding residents (prospective and current). It covers:

  • extra-care and very sheltered housing;
  • retirement villages (sometimes mixed-tenure and/or with a care/nursing home on site);
  • assisted living developments (private sector HWC);
  • housing for social rent, full and shared ownership (leasehold), market rent;
  • housing association, charitable and private sector providers.

Written by Ian Copeman and Jenny Pannell, the Guide draws on extensive research with self-funding HWC residents and with commissioners and providers, supported by the JRF, and:

  • provides detailed analysis and explanation of the complex factors and issues that affect the affordability of HWC for current and future self- funding HWC residents;
  • includes perspectives and experiences of older people and their families, and also providers and commissioners concerning affordability of HWC;
  • sets out the policy considerations and implications for local authorities and providers of the issues affecting affordability of HWC for current and future self-funders and their families.

The Guide will also be of importance to those organisations participating in the Department of Health Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund, bidding to develop specialised housing for older persons and people with disabilities particularly where potential residents will include self-funders of housing, care and other services.