Commenting on the government's announcement that they will provide £76 million a year to build homes for vulnerable people, George McNamara, Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age, says:
“Thousands of older people are forced to live in sub-standard, unsuitable housing as a result of a failure to invest in social housing and a broken market, while at the same time vital housing support has been stripped away.
“Recognition of the needs of older people, who often live with a range of health and care needs, is positive, but needs to be a much greater priority.
“We need a bold national housing strategy for older people with an ambition to “age-proof” housing in terms of adaptability and accessibility to meet current and future demand. Failure to do so, will result in more older people being forced to lose their independence and having to pay large amounts to fund their residential care.”