Elderly to generate over 400,000 more households in South East by 2026
03/03/09
People aged over 65 will account for nearly fifty percent of projected household growth by 2026 and will be responsible for creating 2.4 million new households across the country. This growth combined with longer life expectancy will place increasing pressure on housing, especially in the South East of England, which will see an estimated increase of over 400,000 new homes - the largest of any region in England.
Trends in the profile of older people also suggest the suitability of housing will come under increasing pressure. Government statistics1 indicate:
- The 75+ age group growing faster than any other.
- An older population which is increasingly diverse, with more older men and more older people from black and minority ethnic groups, each with their own needs and aspirations.
- Over a million people predicted to suffer from dementia by 2025.
- Double the numbers of older disabled people in England from 2.3 million in 2002 to 4.6 million by 2041.
- Increasing affluence among older people - likely to increase polarisation by wealth.
This issue will be one of many being debated by housing professionals from across the South East region at the Chartered Institute of Housing South East's Annual Conference and Exhibition in Brighton this week. Some of the other key debates will include the impact of the credit crunch, the collapse in house building, potential reforms to improve our housing system and the growing power of tenants in managing their homes and communities.