Creating Intergenerational Communities
The report commissioned by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Housing and Care for Older People follows a year-long APPG Inquiry into ‘Creating Intergenerational Communities’.
Chaired by Lord Best and sponsored by Places for People and The Riverside Group, the Inquiry report brings together two separate themes: the need for more accommodation specifically tailored to meet the needs of an ageing population, and the desire for many people to live in mixed-age communities that bring generations together.
The report, researched and written by the Housing LIN’s Lois Beech, captures the views of panel members and ‘witnesses’ who were called to give evidence, written examples of practice received during the course of the Inquiry, and several site visits undertaken.
Against the backdrop of the recent Older People’s Housing Taskforce report, as well as the latest national, regional and local policy and funding developments, this document defines what constitutes ‘intergenerational communities’ for the purposes of this Inquiry. It also sets out key findings, supported by infographics and case studies, and provides strategic, operational and technical recommendations for policymakers, planners, investors, health and adult social care commissioners, designers, mainstream and specialist housing providers and developers.
The Inquiry report identifies a number of important features that make up intergenerational communities through the lens of older people, including the health and wellbeing benefits of stronger social networks and creating attractive places where people want to move or ‘rightsize’ to. For example, how buildings are designed and shared, their location, and where linked to and/or part of later living such integrated retirement housing schemes. It also touches on emerging examples of cohousing where intergenerational living is promoted.
The report makes 50 specific recommendations to help create the conditions to support placemaking intergenerationally; from leveraging greater Homes England and GLA capital investment via their respective 10year social and affordable housing programmes to strategic master-planning on council-owned land with planners required to include more accessible and adaptable accommodation for later living in every major development.
In addition, building on the original 10 HAPPI design principles, the report has adapted these and outlines a new set of Intergenerational HAPPI features (see Appendix 3).
Speaking at the APPG Inquiry report launch on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, at the House of Lords:
Lord Best, co-chair of the APPG on Housing and Care for Older People, said:
"The way we build homes today is too often driving generations apart, and that has real costs for all of us, young and old alike. This inquiry shows that it doesn't have to be this way. Where developers and planners have the vision to create genuinely intergenerational communities, the results are remarkable: mutual help with everyday activities, reduced loneliness, savings for health and care budgets, and more rewarding lives for all. We are calling on mainstream housebuilders, social housing providers and planners to embrace this opportunity. Building homes that work for all ages isn't just good for older people. It adds value to every community, for every generation."
Lois Beech, Assistant Director of Commercial and Partnerships at Housing LIN, said:
“The inquiry’s exemplars, findings and recommendations demonstrate how age-friendly mainstream and accessible specialist housing can open exciting new opportunities for Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (HAPPI)-inspired intergenerational living. We look forward to supporting the sector in turning these insights into practical, mixed-age communities that bring different generations together."