RHG welcomes Government response to Taskforce report and calls for swift implementation of recommendations

The response sets out an important framework for increasing the supply of specialist housing, improving quality and consumer confidence, tackling barriers to delivery, and raising awareness of the housing choices available to people in later life, which were all issues raised by the Taskforce.

Paul Teverson, Director of the RHG, said:

"The Prime Minister has identified housing and social care as key national priorities. The work of the Older People's Housing Taskforce clearly demonstrates that high-quality and affordable housing for older people has a critical role to play in improving health, wellbeing and independence in later life.

"The Government's response is a significant milestone and a welcome indication that ministers recognise the scale of the opportunity and the need to act quickly given our aging population. For too long, the UK has failed to deliver enough specialist housing for older people. The Taskforce's report provides a clear blueprint for change, setting out practical measures to boost supply, support consumer confidence and unlock benefits to social care.

"We look forward to seeing these recommendations translated swiftly into meaningful outcomes with a detailed implementation plan across housing, planning, health and social care to deliver significantly more homes and greater choice for older people.”

The Taskforce estimates that the country needs 30,000 to 50,000 new retirement living homes each year, yet it is currently delivering only around 5,000 to 7,000. The RHG has called for a number of reforms to support the growth of the retirement housing sector, including:

• Support for new tenures, including commonhold for retirement housing and the promotion of rental to increase choices for older customers.

• A national strategy to address the opportunities and challenges of an ageing population.

• Clear national definitions for housing for later life and improved information and advice services to help consumers make informed choices, including greater transparency around fees and charges.

• Planning reforms to support the delivery of more specialist housing, with a target that at least 10% of all new homes should be specialist housing for older people.

• Action to address viability challenges and the disproportionate impact of planning obligations and development taxes on specialist retirement housing.

• A requirement for local authorities and public funding bodies to proactively assess, plan for and monitor the delivery of housing for older people.

• A targeted Stamp Duty Land Tax exemption for homeowners aged 75 and over moving into qualifying purpose-built retirement housing, helping to unlock downsizing and free up family homes.

The RHG believes that increasing the supply of specialist housing for older people can make a substantial contribution to tackling some of the UK's most pressing challenges, including demographic change, pressures on health and social care services, loneliness and isolation, and constraints across the wider housing market.