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
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