On Tuesday 16 May 2023, the new Older People's Housing Taskforce held its first meeting. This team of experts, brought together by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), will run for up to 12 months, making recommendations to support the growth of an older people’s housing sector.
Chair of the RIBA Board of Trustees Jack Pringle said:
“The establishment and inaugural meeting of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce is welcome news. The Government should act quickly to deliver the high quality and accessible homes that the country urgently needs. Key priorities include bringing forward the consultation on raising the mandatory minimum accessibility standards for new homes and ensuring local authorities have qualified design expertise to recognise and promote age-friendly housing.
We look forward to engaging with the Taskforce over the coming months.”
Notes to editors:
- Media contact: Ruby.OShea@riba.org
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow @RIBA on Twitter for regular updates.
- RIBA campaigns as a founding member of the Housing Made for Everyone (HoME) Coalition calling for all new homes to be fit for the ageing population and people with disabilities.
- Part M4(2) of the Building Regulations refers to Approved Document M: Access to and use of buildings. This is the standard designed to ensure that general housing is accessible for older people and people with disabilities, so that homes can be easily adapted in ways that enable independent living for longer. This requirement is met when a new dwelling provides reasonable provision for most people to access the dwelling and includes features that make it suitable for a range of potential occupants, including older people, individuals with reduced mobility and some wheelchair users.
