The Housing Needs & The Housing Needs & Aspirations of Older People in Aspirations of Older People in

LeicestershireLeicestershire

Andy SteeleSalford Housing & Urban Studies Unit

University of Salford24th June 2010

Outline

The background context Focus of the study Methodology Current sheltered housing provision Extra Care housing BME aspirations Gypsies & Travellers LGBT Migrant Workers Views on Retirement Villages Responding to under-occupation Emerging themes & recommendations

Background context

By 2013 65+ estimated to be 18.8% of Leicestershire population: 85% increase from 2.16% to 2.39%

Increasing longevity means greater demand on supported housing

Diverse BME population (5.8% of 65+ pop although geographical concentrations)

Need to distinguish between housing needs/aspirations of ‘young old’ (60-75) ‘old’ old (76-80) & ‘very’ old (80+)

Under-occupation – 64% of 50+ group with 2+ spare rooms

Background context (Cont.)

Recent reports emphasised: ‘poor fit’ between housing needs &

current housing provision designed for older people;

Increasing expectations regarding standards, space & facilities;

Difficult-to-let sheltered housing; and Requirement for ‘needs-led’ flexible

housing support options

Study focus

Study aims: To understand aspirations of older people (size,

type tenure & models); Document views on Retirement Village model; Understand migration issues across LA

boundaries/sub-market areas; Approaches to tackling under-occupation; and To understand services & support networks

important to older people

Methodology

Qualitative in nature Focus groups with groups of older people Personal interviews Self-completion survey – under-occupiers

Particular emphasis upon current sheltered housing users & under-occupiers (social & private)

Geographical coverage (urban/rural) In total 189 people consulted

Current sheltered housing residents (mainstream)

Reasons for moving to sheltered housing: Greater security & peace of mind; Warden availability Difficulties managing previous home Companionship No choice (wanted bungalow)

Current sheltered housing residents (mainstream) (Cont.)

Positive aspects: Personal security Ability to mix with different people Range of activities & social events Level of personal independence Staff/warden support

Negative aspects: Lack of on-site warden No overnight accommodation for family/friends Size of kitchen area; Lack of adequate ventilation & poor lighting

Current sheltered housing residents (mainstream) (cont.)

Housing aspirations: Mixed according to age & ethnicity – avoiding

segregation; Central location – access to facilities & public

transport – concern re: rural isolation Size – maximum 40 residents – engender sense of

community Facilities – flats with separate bedrooms not bedsit

& own bathing & cooking facilities. Communal areas which promoted social interaction

Support services – 24 hour warden – acting as gatekeeper to services & advocate. Emphasis upon individual needs

New technology – emergency alarm, automated entry lighting & voice responsive mechanisms

Current sheltered housing residents - BME

Move to sheltered housing seen as only option – life crisis – organised by family

Positive aspects similar to White British Negative aspects:

lack of organised activities Lack of cultural specific facilities Lack of consultation between staff & residents Size of bedsits/studiosMany would consider moving to alternative

supported housing

Current sheltered housing residents – BME (Cont.)

Housing aspirations: Residents from a range of ethnic/cultural

backgrounds but emphasis upon understanding cultural needs of individual;

Small schemes – promote interaction Culturally specific facilities – prayer room cooking

facilities, Asian TV; Location – close to shops, place of prayer & public

transport; Support services – warden contactable 24 hours

(cultural sensitivity); Facilities – adequate private space (min 1 bed) &

communal areas; and Entertainment – programme of social activities

Extra Care Housing

Current residents generally positive however concern about: Changing nature of client group (high

support needs) & mix of people with different needs;

Lack of private bathing facilities; Lack of proximity to shopping facilities

Extra Care Housing (Cont.)

Aspirations: Small sized schemes promotes interaction; Min 1 bed + additional bedrooms for guests Flexible communal areas catering for range of

activities 24 hour support Range of on-site facilities but not to extent of

inhibiting engagement outside the scheme Located adjacent to range of community

facilitiesNone would consider moving

Older BME housing aspirations

Asian older people reluctant to seek support outside family

Concern about home meeting needs in longer term

Very limited knowledge of housing options Largely negative perception of sheltered

housing Very limited knowledge of extra care

housing

Older BME housing aspirations (Cont.)

Specific requirements: Bungalows/flats centred around common space (cluster); Limited no. of units Asians tended to prefer single ethnic group, other ethnic

groups preferred mixed Design features – wheelchair access, bright colours in

different parts of scheme; external & internal sensors; large signage; movement activated lighting etc.

Location seen as one of most important aspects – link to community & access to facilities

Facilities – individual bathrooms, fitness room, ICT & communal space + accommodation for overnight stays

24 hour support (not necessarily on-site). Support determined by individual needs

Older Gypsy & Travellers

Aspirations: Dislike for ‘bricks & mortar’ accommodation Preference to remain on/adjacent to current

sites with their community Bungalows or dayroom house with living space

& kitchen & room for up to 2 caravans Additional ‘hook up’ points for visiting family Access to emergency alarm system On-site support provision or good access to

health & social care services

Older Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender people

Housing needs not dissimilar to straight people + additional need for personal safety & location within an ‘accepting’ community

Also additional support to avoid isolation Access to mainstream housing for older

people but recognition of specific needs relating to sexuality (e.g. same sex couples)

Older Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender people (Cont.)

Aspirations: Desire to remain in own home + sensitive

support provision; Would consider mainstream sheltered housing

if supportive environment; Schemes located in urban centres with access

to specific services (e.g. support groups) Safe & secure environment Provision of sensitive support by staff –

promote residents to feel comfortable with their sexuality

A8 & A2 Migrant Workers

Limited awareness of housing options & particularly social housing;

Reliance on PRS but not first choice Access to services limited by English language

skills Little awareness of support services or supported

housing Degree of expectation will be looked after by

family members Limited social networks which impacts on levels of

awareness Preference for home ownership

Retirement Villages

General lack of awareness although some had some knowledge & were critical

Preference for: Location adjacent to existing communities Adjacent to good transport links Range of tenure options Range of age groups Range of services on-site

Under-occupiers

Some recognition that their current home was too big but sense of attachment to home & community

2/3 would consider down-sizing if support available

Incentives: Financial – home owners – help to buy a bungalow;

social renters – help with moving costs Help with finding a new home Help with packing up belongings Help with the practical aspects of moving home Help with settling into new home

Emerging themes

Common themes emerge: Provision of housing close to existing communities &

amenities – centrally well connected locations; Support sensitive to lifestyle & cultural needs Access to accommodation with modern standards &

facilities; Access to support at appropriate times Lack of awareness of housing options – aspirations

limited by awareness General preference for remaining in own home –

move due to life crisis (little forward planning) Location preference based on access to facilities not

geography Small sized schemes to promote & engender mutual

support

Recommendations

Promotion of supported housing models: Greater promotion of supported housing

(based on characteristics & not generalist descriptions which are perceived negatively e.g. sheltered housing).

Role of influential others (e.g. family) Mainstream vs specialist provision:

Accessible to all sections of older people with sensitive & tailored support

Staff training on equality & diversity Pro-active anti-discrimination policies

Recommendations

Location of supported housing: Within existing communities Access to range of facilities & amenities New provision considered from point of

view of level of demand from immediate area not geography

Recommendations

Supported housing standards: Maximum 40 units per scheme – dispersed or

centralised Minimum 1 bedroom self-contained units with

designed living and kitchen areas; Overnight facilities for visitors Minimal shared facilities (e.g. kitchens) Flexible communal areas (inside & external) which

promote interaction Communal ICT facilities Design features relevant to people with a range of

health-related problems Inclusion of assistive technology initiatives Review existing supported housing schemes to

ensure meet above criteria

Recommendations

Responding to under-occupation: Develop pack of support targeted at home

owners & social renters Promote the support available to older people

& advocates Role of Retirement Villages:

Requires further investigation Staying Put:

Increase awareness of support available in own home

Recommendations

Older Gypsies & Travellers: Review existing site arrangements to

see if aspirations of older community members can be accommodated

Any new site provision should include a proportion of pitches designed specifically for older people

Older migrant workers Research with this specific group of

older people required