This report, commissioned by the LGA from the Housing Learning and Improvement Network (authors: Ian Copeman and Lois Beech), makes a number of recommendations to government on how we can best meet the needs of people in later life with case studies demonstrating how councils are addressing the housing needs of an ageing population.

Councils with their partners enable, facilitate and/or deliver: mainstream housing that is designed to be adaptable to better suit the changing needs of people in later life…

….housing of a range of tenures is delivered that provides choice for older people who want to rent (social/affordable and market rent) as well as people who want to buy (outright ownership and shared ownership) housing that is designed to meet their needs

… specialist types of accommodation such as retirement housing and housing with care, including options that can support people living with dementia and other complex health conditions

….housing that promotes mixed communities and inter-generational living

….opportunities to redevelop redundant office and retail space in town centres, including the potential for some sites to be used as housing suited to older people.

Local Government Association source: Housing our ageing population