The Housing Needs & Aspirations of Older People in Leicestershire

1. The Housing Needs & Aspirations of Older People in Leicestershire Andy Steele Salford Housing & Urban Studies Unit University of Salford 24th June 2010

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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/studios Many would consider moving to alternative supported housing

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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 facilities None would consider moving

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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)

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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