Top 5 Wishes for 2025 | No.2 Retrofitting Stock: Regenerating Outdated Sheltered Housing

Following the publication of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People Inquiry report on the Regeneration of Outdated Sheltered Housing last year, written by the Housing LIN, there is a need to safeguard this precious asset for current and future generations of older people.

While the Older People’s Housing Taskforce primarily focuses on increasing the supply of new homes for those in later life, as shown in our animation, we must also urgently address the quality of existing social sheltered housing. Improving its appeal to older people, securing capital investment for upgrades and retrofitting, and ensuring it is digitally ready are all essential steps to provide an affordable, contemporary retirement living offer."

As recommended in the APPG inquiry report, we urge that one-third of the Homes England/GLA 2026-2031 Affordable Housing Programme target, with its 10% allocation for housing for older people, be dedicated to replacing, updating, and refurbishing existing sheltered housing.