GLA RESEARCH - PLANNING FOR HOUSING LONDON’S OLDER PEOPLE TO 2036 Housing LIN 8 th February 2012 Janet Sutherland

GLA seeks: By 2031 increase of over 65s by 31% and over 90s of 50%. London Plan new emphasis on the quality of housing for older Londoners Mayor wants to recognise needs of older people with joined up strategies and new policy approaches, and supplementary planning guidance We need a genuine choice of homes everyone can afford, and a better match between what people want and need and what is supplied.

Objectives of research identify possible roles for planning system to address the varied needs of older people and to improve supply better understanding of housing needs and demands improved knowledge of what is already there and the barriers to provision work closely with housing investors to explore current, emerging and possible future funding arrangements

Research key recommendations - 1 Local government older persons strategies to inform planning policy Housing and Planning involved in Health and Wellbeing Boards Monitor older persons’ accommodation – get better information supply and demand. Find new ways of funding mainstream and specialist older persons housing Develop shared equity/ownership products & improve guidance and marketing for squeezed middle. Encourage cross borough collaboration

Key recommendations - 2 Encourage Boroughs with shortage of market older persons’ accommodation to facilitate provision through planning process. Use Public Funding to bring existing social housing provision up to standard and decommission surplus units. Increase supply of care home beds in Greater London area, particularly supporting Boroughs where is substantial deficit. Consider how planning process can facilitate downsizing - market and affordable - choice of attractive alternatives.

Capital and revenue funding It appears that there will be many fewer RP provided specialist schemes. How do we provide more with current capital and revenue funding challenges? What is future of Extra Care? Do we need new models? Private developers need support from planning and affordable land for new supply Join up health and social care to argue case for revenue funding

Mainstream housing However much new we provide, most people will continue to live in own homes Influence new approaches to retrofit existing stock and “green deal” to make existing homes more energy efficient Huge problems for self funders with limited means Pressures on DFG’s and Improvement Loans will grow

Equity Release Develop suitable, cost effective equity release products to fund works to home, a move, and/or care. Change perceptions to overcome distrust of equity release, and market widely. How best to provide impartial advice? Promote models which enable “trapped middle” to buy property of higher value than existing home. Longer term may be less demand – increase in PRS, declining home ownership.

Black and Minority Communities Significant increase in BME older people, particularly in some boroughs All provision must be culturally sensitive Is there a need for some specialist provision? Housing LIN guidelines for Developing Extra Care Housing for Black and Minority Ethnic Elders

Dementia There will be a huge increase of people with dementia Many people will remain in mainstream homes Normalise dementia care in the community Dementia be more mainstream in commissioning, more joined up approach New funding models and innovatory approaches, new partnerships between the private, public and voluntary sectors. Current closure of care homes - shortage

Private rented sector What can we do to improve the PRS for older people? Work with Boroughs and Health and Wellbeing Boards to make effective use of public funding for DFGs and other sources of support for older, disabled people. Lobby the Government for increased powers to enable tenants of private landlords to have disabled adaptations installed. Establish pan-London landlord accreditation scheme that can incorporate the Accessible Housing Register rating of accredited properties.

What are your views? After lunch Kathleen Dunmore will discuss the supply and demand model Please give us your views: on the key challenges and suggested ways forward Contact: Janet Sutherland - Kathleen Dunmore-