6 Oct 2021 | Posted by Courtney Chandler
More needs to be done to address a shortfall in accessible homes, according to our new documentary Homes for the ages.
We’re now calling on housing providers, local authorities, developers and other interested parties to work collaboratively to solve a series of issues.
Experts speaking in the documentary detailed that in less than 20 years’ time, one in four people in the UK will be over the age of 65. And 80% of the homes that will exist in 2050 have already been built.
What’s more, just 9% of the UK’s homes meet the most basic of accessibility standards and ten million people experienced coronavirus lockdowns in homes with a health hazard.
The documentary features expert commentary from organisations including the National Federation of Housing, Habinteg, the Centre for Ageing Better and the National Innovation Centre for Ageing, as well as contributions from West Lindsey District Council, Invisible Creations and Acis Group.
It explores themes around how homes can be adapted without feeling like a hospital, how technology can play a part in healthy ageing, how the coronavirus pandemic has shone a light on the importance of human interaction in an increasingly digital world and the rise of multi-generational living.
As a result, we’re now committing to raising the specification of our new-build developments and will co-design this with our own customers. We have also committed to upskilling our own people to recognise the signs of ageing and promote independence at home through reducing the digital skills gap in communities.
We’re also calling for more focus to be put on human interaction when new developments are being considered, recognising that communal areas and green space are key to happy, healthy living.
More than a hundred people from the housing world descended on Gainsborough’s Trinity Arts Centre to watch the premiere of the documentary in the Lincolnshire town on Friday 1 October.
Claire Woodward, Head of Business Development at Acis Group, said: “It’s clear that more needs to be done to address the lack of affordable, accessible housing in the country – before it’s too late.
“While we originally commissioned this documentary to look into housing for older people, it quickly became apparent that looking at homes in this very traditional way was just not the answer. We need to be working collaboratively to develop inclusive communities with aspirational homes that can flex to meet the needs of multiple age groups and abilities.
“But it’s not just about the bricks and mortar. The coronavirus pandemic has shown that human interaction – whether that’s on someone’s doorstep, on the phone or even online – remains as important as ever. We’re reviewing our policies to ensure we are meeting the needs of the people in our communities.”
In 2019, we launched a new home adaptations service, Acis HomePlus, to help people live in the homes they love for as long as possible. It installs items such as handrails and grabrails right through to wetrooms and adjustable kitchens to support people to maintain their independence.
For more information, or to view the documentary and its findings, visit our dedicated microsite.