New ‘Older People’s Housing Taskforce’ announced

The independently-chaired team will look at how to increase the volume and range of housing options

A new Taskforce is set to assess the housing needs of older people across the country.

Chaired by Professor Julienne Meyer, a leading expert in care for older people, the team are tasked with deciding how best to provide a greater range of suitable housing depending on the support people need.

The Older People’s Housing Taskforce will work across housing, heath, and care sectors to drive an increase in the amount and variety of housing options, making recommendations to the Government.

The appointment of Professor Meyer was unveiled as part of the government’s Adult Social Care Implementation planpublished by the Department of Health and Social Care.

Minister for Care, Helen Whately said: “[The] plan sets out the progress we’re making with our vision for Adult Social Care reform. That vision involves helping people to live fuller, more independent lives for longer – and a big part of that is making sure we’ve got the right housing available.

“We want a thriving older people’s housing sector based on choice, quality and security. That’s why we’ve set up this new taskforce – to work out how we can deliver that across the country and make sure everyone has somewhere suitable to live in later life. The more housing options there are, the more choice people have over their care.”

Taskforce Chair Meyer, who co-founded My Home Life, an international collaborative initiative to promote quality of life in care homes for older people, is a former nurse who has led research in care for older people at City University of London for 23 years. During her career, she’s worked in a variety of different settings (health, social care, and housing; general and mental health; primary, secondary, and tertiary care).

Meyer said of her appointment: “I am delighted to be leading the taskforce, an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of older people.

“Working between housing, health and social care will be critical to its success and I’m looking forward to advising government on proposals that give older people more choices in later life.”

The taskforce will run for up to 12 months and will produce an independent report to Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Department of Health and Social Care Ministers, with interim findings available after six months.

The panel is expected to include up to 14 members with expertise from the social and private retirement sector, local government, adult social care and from investors and developers.

Professor Meyer will work with the government to finalise the Taskforce membership, with a first meeting to take place by Spring.

Housing Minister Rachel Maclean added: “Making sure older people can access the right homes that meet their needs later in life is a government priority. And by unlocking more housing for older people, we can also have a hugely beneficial impact on their health and wellbeing.

“I’m very excited to have Professor Meyer leading this taskforce, as we radically improve the choices available to older people, whether that’s retirement housing or support to help people live independently for longer.”