Housing design, adaptations and support (England)

New and existing homes in the UK need to be adaptable to the changing needs of an ageing population to promote both independence and self-determination. Poor and inaccessible housing has profound implications for our ageing population. There were 13.3 million disabled people in the UK in 2015/16, with 44 per cent over state pension age. Yet only 7 per cent of homes have the four essential features that would make them accessible to a person with mobility problems (level access to main entrance, flush threshold to main entrance, WC at entry level and circulation space). The majority (96 per cent) of older people live in general needs housing and many would prefer living independently at home wherever possible.