Forward Planning | Fabian Society

Forward Planning
By Ben Cooper
Published 18 November 2025
Topics Housing

Our population is ageing. Over the next quarter of a century, the number of people aged 55 and over in England will grow by five million. Most older people will remain owner-occupiers and live in mainstream housing. But an ageing population will change demand for housing, and what people expect of it. There will be a growing need to ensure that older people can access decent, accessible and adaptable housing.

Housing is central to people’s experiences of ageing. In particular, it determines the extent to which they can live independently, safely and well in a place of their choosing. And housing policy over the next few years will be critical to how England adapts to the challenges posed by an ageing population. The forthcoming housing strategy needs to rise to this challenge, and set out a vision of ageing at home.

This report sets out how the government can ensure that owner-occupiers are able to age well in their own home. It identifies the scale of the challenge faced by older owner-occupiers, the barriers to improving housing, and the case for action. The report sets out a series of solutions to improve existing stock and deliver better new-build options for older homeowners.

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