duration

Location
Virtual

While building safety and decarbonisation grab the headlines, the housing needs of the UK’s ageing population must play a central role in our plans. Get the low down on what needs to be done at our virtual conference.

According to the Centre for Ageing Better, the state of housing in the UK is facing a ‘now or never’ moment – and what to do about our ageing population should be a key consideration.

This ‘perfect storm’ is due to several major challenges arising at the same time – some more high profile than others.

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    The pandemic has highlighted the impact that low-quality housing has on our health and wellbeing; the urgency of reaching net zero carbon emissions means that retrofitting homes must be a priority; and we are facing a big age-shift in population, meaning that the country’s homes need to be suitable for those in later life.

    The facts are stark:

    • The number of households with someone aged over 85 will almost double over the next 25 years
    • 80% of the homes that people will be living in by 2050 have already been built, so the condition and accessibility of existing housing is critical
    • There are over two million households headed by someone aged 55 and over which do not meet basic standards (e.g., it is too cold, too damp or has a trip hazard)
    • There are 4.3 million non-decent homes in England. Of the homes headed by someone aged 75 or over, 21% were classed as non-decent in 2017, a proportion that is unchanged since 2012
    • One million owner-occupiers aged 55 or older live in poverty – jeopardising their ability to keep their home warm and safe as they age. In 2018, 17,000 people died because they were unable to heat their home properly
    • Around a third of people aged 50 or older say their home needs work done to make it suitable as they get older – but cite cost as the biggest issue preventing changes
    • Since 2003, the number of over 55s living in private rented accommodation has more than doubled – a trend which is set to continue
    • A higher proportion of older people live in rural areas and by the coast rather than urban areas but this can lead to isolation and having to travel further to access key services
    • The number of older people living in social housing is on the decline, despite the desperate need for decent, affordable homes.

    Furthermore, the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for healthy homes. Anyone with a respiratory condition living in a damp home (already at greater risk of suffering acute effects of Covid-19) could have seen it exacerbated through lockdown.

    And not enough new homes are being built to accessible standards, which could leave many of us living in unsuitable housing or having to move into residential care because we can’t remain at home.

    Those working on the frontline in social and supported housing have played a key role in looking after elderly and vulnerable residents. But the conditions they have experienced, the support they have received and the properties they have visited simply haven’t been good enough.

    For this virtual conference, HQN is bringing together policy experts, health and care practitioners, housing professionals and campaigning organisations to help set out a vision for housing the UK’s ageing population.

    Key sessions include:

    • Housing an ageing population – what you need to know about the current policy landscape
    • Good homes for all: A proposal to fix England’s housing – recommendations from the Good Home Inquiry
    • The role of Extra Care and retirement communities in housing our ageing population
    • Just the Tonic – creating vibrant and inclusive urban LGBT+ affirming retirement communities
    • The role of social housing providers – are we doing enough to support older residents?
    • Why the time is right to use technology to transform older people’s housing
    • Learning from lockdown – lessons from delivering frontline care and support during Covid-19.

    This event is essential for:

    • Chief executives
    • Executive and senior management teams – including directors of development, strategic asset management, housing care and support
    • Housing strategy teams
    • Housing policy professionals
    • Academics
    • Supported housing, extra care and retirement living teams
    • Board members.
  • Our speakers
    • Chair: Emma Wilson, HQN associate and retirement and supported living director
    • Lord Richard Best, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People
    • Henry Smith, Senior Programme Manager – Homes, The Centre for Ageing Better
    • Gareth Lyon, Head of Policy and Communications, ARCO
    • Anna Kear, Chief Executive, Tonic
    • Tim Barclay, Chief Executive, Appello
    • Francis Burrows, Director of Support and Service Development, Orbit Group.
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    * Please note that all prices are subject to standard VAT. Byte Size members do not qualify for member discounts. Please call 01904 557150 for more information.

    Bookings are closed for this event.

    If you experience any issues when submitting your booking, please email [email protected] with the name and date of the session along with the delegate name(s), email address(es) and job title(s) and we’ll process the booking for you.

  • Cancellations and substitutions

    If you are unable to attend an event or public training course, please let us know in writing (email is fine) at least 48 hours before. Please email [email protected]

    Otherwise, a cancellation fee of £60 plus VAT will be chargeable.

    If you are using a package place to attend and do not inform us within the agreed time frame, then a place will be taken to cover your non-attendance.

    Cancellations must be made in writing, and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited.

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