JRF welcomes Government’s National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society

For immediate release: 09.00hrs Monday 25 February 2008

JRF welcomes Government’s National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society

Speaking about the launch earlier today (25.2.08) of the Government’s Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods: A National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society from the Department of Communities and Local Government, Julia Unwin, Director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) said:

"The Government’s initiative in producing a strategy for housing in an ageing society is to be commended. We are particularly pleased to see a formal commitment to Lifetime Homes, a concept which creates flexible and adaptable homes that accommodate life changes cost-effectively and without upheaval.

"We welcome the Government’s plans to develop new rapid repairs and adaptations services along with other initiatives to give ‘that bit of help’, enabling older people to stay in their own homes. Our research shows that older people really value what was described as ‘that bit of help’ with simple tasks such as cleaning, DIY, gardening, care of pets and transport as well as befriending services for those who are socially isolated.

"We also welcome the commitment to develop positive models that build on aspirations for older people whose plans for the future involve a move to more specialised housing settings. One example of this is our new retirement village in Hartlepool. Hartfields offers a vibrant, stimulating and safe environment where support is available alongside an extensive range of on-site leisure facilities and social activities for older residents and those from surrounding communities.

"In each of these areas, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation can provide evidence from its research and practical experience to demonstrate the value of realising these goals."

A summary of each area relating to JRF research and practice follows below.

Lifetime Homes

In the 1980s, the JRF joined forces with other housing experts, notably Habinteg Housing association, to develop the Lifetime Homes concept. Lifetime Homes have 16 design features that ensure a new house or flat will meet the current and potential needs of most households. The accent is on accessibility and design features that make the home flexible enough to meet whatever comes along in life. JRF research showed that these features could be accommodated with a minimal cost and since the late 1980s, all Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) properties have been built using these standards.

That bit of help

JRF research has indicated the value to older people of low-level preventative services such as handypersons and minor repairs and adaptations. Within its own housing estates, JRHT employs estate caretakers to take care of minor works. Since 2003, it has also used the repairs and maintenance service to provide small adaptations quickly and efficiently and has minimised bureaucracy by introducing self-assessment for residents.

Positive models

JRF pioneered the introduction of continuing care retirement communities to the UK through the construction of Hartrigg Oaks, a housing option for older people that enables them to live in a vibrant, stimulating environment. It also provides a range of care and support services as needs require. More recently, JRHT has embarked upon developing Hartfields, a mixed tenure extra-care village in Hartlepool. The scheme encompasses 242 high quality properties for sale, shared-ownership and rental, with social amenities and services and on-hand care and support when needed. JRF evidence has consistently shown how highly valued such schemes are by their residents.

Notes to Editors:

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is one of the largest social policy research and development charities in the UK. It supports a research and development programme that seeks to understand the causes of social difficulties and explore ways of overcoming them.
The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) is a charity and registered social landlord with housing and care schemes in Scarborough, York and elsewhere in Yorkshire as well as in the North East. www.jrht.org.uk
Habinteg has long been a partner of the JRF in the promotion of Lifetime Homes and is recognised as a leader in the field of inclusive housing. www.habinteg.org.uk
Links to specific summaries of research relevant to this response, some of which are cited in the government’s strategy, are listed below.

Overall

http://www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/foundations/034.asp

Lifetime Homes

That bit of help

Positive models

Issued by Nasreen Memon, JRF Head of Media Relations:
020 7278 9665 / 01904 615 919 / 07812 241 220 nasreen.memon@jrf.org.uk