Homes for the Future: More Affordable, More Sustainable - Housing Green Paper (August 2007)

The population of England is ageing and, at the same time, the number of households is increasing. Older people will make up 48% of the new household growth to 2024 and the vast majority of older households will not be living in specialist accommodation. Both the market and affordable sectors have been slow to react to older households’ aspirations, preferences and needs. There are and will be more small households, because of relationship breakdown, the death of a partner or personal preferences. More people are able to live independently, but the built environment has not yet been greatly influenced by inclusive design concepts. All of these trends mean more homes are needed and put pressure on the housing market. In some places, the market is not in equilibrium – demand for housing exceeds supply.