Our evidence submission to APPG inquiry on intergenerational living

In October, we submitted evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People’s inquiry into intergenerational living in communities.  

The inquiry asked for evidence on housing and community schemes that intentionally encourage intergenerational communities. From the evidence, they will produce a report with practical advice, some of the advantages and challenges of intergenerational living, and recommendations for future policy and practice. 

We responded to the inquiry as many of our members provide intergenerational living schemes, aiming to foster inclusive communities across the country.  

What did we say in our submission? 

1. Intergenerational schemes can help tackle loneliness and build stronger communities. 

Intergenerational housing schemes can help build stronger, more cohesive communities by tackling loneliness and poor mental health in both younger and older people. Intergenerational housing can also help address the challenges of an ageing population.  

Our submission includes three case studies from NHF members, Pheonix Community Housing, The Riverside Group, SNG, Clarion and Places for People, which show the opportunities and challenges of intergenerational living.  

2. With a rapidly rising ageing population, we need to build more accessible housing schemes 

There is a significant shortage of accessible homes for people as they get older, and for disabled people of all ages. Currently, 1.8m people in the UK need an accessible home, but only 9% of homes meet the minimum accessibility standards. 

To reverse this trend, we need to build more accessible and adaptable homes. We recommend that the government make M4(2), the accessible and adaptable dwellings standard, the baseline in the Building Regulations.  

3. Many intergenerational living schemes include supported housing for older people, which is facing a funding crisis 

Supported housing can offer the support people need as they get older, allowing them to live in their communities as they age. But demand is rising, and schemes are being forced to close their doors due to a lack of funding. Our recent research shows that 50,000 supported homes are at risk of closure.  

In our submission, we recommended ambitious action from the government at the Autumn Budget. This could shore up supported housing in England by committing emergency funding for support services to keep doors open.