The government has suggested elderly people move into smaller properties so their homes can be rented to families. An insulting idea or a sensible way of tackling the UK’s housing shortage?
Housing minister Grant Shapps has called on local councils to help elderly homeowners move out of their homes into smaller, rented accommodation.
The councils would arrange and manage the rental of these vacated homes to families in the area.
And the rental income would go to the elderly homeowners who would use the money to pay for their new, smaller accommodation.
The housing minister’s suggestion comes on the back of a pilot scheme running in the London borough of Redbridge.
The good...
Shapps said such schemes free up family-sized homes to help tackle the UK’s housing shortage, while giving elderly homeowners more choice and control over where they live, so they are not pressured to sell their homes or move into residential care.
Shapps said: “Older people who should be enjoying their homes have watched helplessly as their properties have become prisons, and many have been forced to sell their homes and move into residential care.
“With nearly a fifth of our population expected to be over 65 by 2020, radical and urgent change is needed to ensure the nation's housing needs are met.
“Moving to more suitable accommodation can make a life-changing difference for some older people.
“The FreeSpace project in Redbridge shows what could be achieved.
“Under this scheme older people will be able to live independently for longer and enjoy more disposable income without selling their home, and other families will benefit from living in an affordable home.”
The bad...
Now, this does sound like a win-win scheme.
But when I first saw Shapps on TV promoting this scheme, I did think it seemed to suggest, rather insultingly, that the older generation are effectively hoarding family homes, leaving younger families with nowhere to live.
And of course, not all older homeowners want, or even need, to downsize.
Plus, being older doesn’t mean you don’t need a spare bedroom or two – age does not preclude having family or friends to stay.
What older people’s organisations have to say...
Research by over-50s financial services provider Saga says that downsizing is not the older generation’s preferred choice.
Their survey found that almost nine out of 10 - 89 per cent – of over-50s believe where they live is more than just bricks and mortar.
And almost half - 48 per cent - say their home is where they want to grow old.
“Recent studies suggesting that older generations are ‘hoarding housing’ have come across as extremely offensive to older people and I can understand why,” said Dr Ros Altmann, director general of Saga.
“The implication is that either they don't deserve to live in the house they're in or that somebody else deserves it more."
Social engineering?
Saga says the government should focus on funding home adaptations to help older people live in their homes for longer rather than having to move house.
Altmann added: “The family home is about so much more than just bricks and mortar.
“It may need adaptations, such as handrails or emergency alarms, but it's wrong to highlight older people who live in a three- or four-bedroom house and somehow say they don't deserve to be in it.
“Such social engineering is not likely to strike a chord with most older people."
Saga says that for that for older people who do want to downsize, there is often a lack of suitable housing.
Lack of housing options
The charity Age UK agrees, and says it welcomes any scheme that provides more housing options for the elderly.
Michelle Mitchell, charity director of Age UK, said: “Many older people have little equity in their homes and so cannot afford alternative housing options.
“Those who are considering downsizing often find that there is a lack of suitable housing options.
“Therefore we welcome schemes that give older people more choice and security.”
For information on housing and care needs for older people, you can visit national charity the Elderly Accommodation Council (EAC).
What do you think?
Is this scheme an insult to those who have worked hard to own their own homes, or is it a sensible way of killing two birds with one stone - freeing up family-sized homes and helping the elderly to find more suitable accommodation at the same time?
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave them on the message board below.
