Reimagining Living Spaces in the Heart of Communities
This report by Inspiring Housing CLT and the University of Greenwich explores the feasibility of Garden Homes and Community Infill Sites as Age-friendly housing options. Funded by the Vivensa Foundation, it draws on a project based in Salford setting out how to support older people to remain in their communities as alternative responses to the UK housing crisis, especially in relation to an ageing population.
Accepting that many older people prefer to remain in their existing communities, but that current housing options often fail to support this, the report outlines the findings of an investigation into the feasibility of two alternative housing models:
- Garden Homes: small, self-contained homes built within the grounds of existing properties, created by subdividing private garden space.
- Community Infill Sites: new housing developed on unused or underused land within established neighbourhoods, such as vacant plots or small redevelopment sites.
Both offer the potential to increase housing supply in a way that is sustainable, land-efficient, and supportive of community cohesion, including opportunities for intergenerational living.
The report draws on new evidence from surveys, stakeholder discussions, and workshops with older people undertaken in the city of Salford, Greater Manchester (UK).
Older people’s lived experiences combined with professionals’ insight highlight a significant gap in the current housing system. Many older people are living in homes that are arguably too large, costly to heat, difficult to maintain or no longer accessible, but face limited opportunities to rightsize without leaving the neighbourhoods, relationships and routines that support their wellbeing. This lack of suitable local options not only affects individuals but also creates wider pressures across the housing system by restricting mobility and contributing to overcrowding elsewhere.
Lastly, the report offers policy and design useful action points and recommendations for local authorities, positioning these housing models as a potentially important but under-used and under researched way to support inclusive and sustainable ageing in place.
And if you found this of interest, also check out the Age-friendly bult environment guides we produced with ARUP for the Centre for Ageing Better.