The Housing Agency/ISAX report on housing our older population should not be left resting on a shelf. It outlines sensible policies to help keep older people living in their communities and outlines some of the key stumbling blocks which hamper the development of truly sustainable places to live which cater for all.
If nothing else, it sounds a note of warning about how housing for older people will be funded in the future. With the numbers of people renting growing all the time, in the not-too-distant future many people will not own a home which can be sold to fund their housing needs. That alone should focus minds.
It also acknowledges that it will be "politically difficult" to prioritise investment, as the benefit will only occur in the medium and longer term.
But many of the solutions will not cost vast sums of money and tend to involve building in existing built-up areas, implementing simple measures, such as wider doors that allow wheelchair access, providing extra storage and services close to where people live.
It points out these simple things don't just benefit older people, but society at large.
Despite living in an ageing society, we are not planning for our future housing needs.
There is little awareness of the different housing options and limited innovation in design, financial supports and ownership models. More data and research is needed, it says. We should be planning for this now, not reacting when it's too late.
Irish Independent
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