Last Updated on November 11, 2026

Government has published its response to the Older People's Housing Taskforce, setting out its vision, commitments and next steps. The Older People's Housing Taskforce was set up by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) – now, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) – and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in 2023 and its report was submitted to Ministers in May 2024.

The Taskforce's report, Our Future Homes: Housing that promotes wellbeing and community for an ageing population, set out a comprehensive package of recommendations designed to increase the supply, quality and choice of homes for an ageing population and better integrate housing with health and social care.

In its much-anticipated response, Government acknowledges that more can be done to grow the purpose-built older people's housing sector and notes the Taskforce's assessment of how we might learn from international comparators – such as New Zealand – to do so.

In addition, Government's response notes issues in the private, for-sale older people's housing sector – including poor resale values – and says that to tackle the issue, it will take forward research into resale values of private older people's housing, to deepen understanding of the drivers behind resale values and why some models retain their value, while others do not.

Government's response also confirmed that a wider roadmap will be published in the new year, setting out how it intends to take forward this work in the years to come.

Commenting on Government's response to the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report, Michael Voges, Chief Executive at ARCO, said, 'It's fantastic the Government has accepted all the recommendations of the Older People's Housing Task Force – but the hard work starts now. The world has changed since the Taskforce concluded, with economic headwinds sweeping the housing sector and inflationary pressures on household budgets.

'Half a million people now turn 80 each year – the average age of moving into an Integrated Retirement Community. The Government has bold plans for devolution, place-making and a National Care Service – but equally bold action on housing for our ageing population is required.

'Older people's housing could make a much bigger contribution to general housing supply – as shown by New Zealand – but this means putting affordability first, thinking very differently about tenure and consumer regulation, and learning from other countries. We're pleased the Government has already said it is exploring ARCO's proposals for a bespoke tenure for housing-with-care with a view to amending the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.'

Mario Ambrosi and Professor Julienne Meyer CBE, Co-Chairs of the Housing and Ageing Alliance, said, 'We warmly welcome the Government's recognition that improving housing for older people must be a national priority and plans to develop a roadmap for housing for an ageing population.

'Too many people are growing older in homes which do not meet their changing needs, while the supply of accessible housing remains far below what is required. We need swift and sustained action to create more choice and better homes for people in later life.

'Getting this right is not just about housing. The right home can help people remain independent and well for longer, strengthen communities and reduce pressure on health and social care services.

'The Housing and Ageing Alliance looks forward to working with Government, local authorities, the housing and care sectors and older people themselves to translate these ambitions into lasting change.'

Paul Teverson, Director of the Retirement Housing Group, said, 'The Prime Minister has identified housing and social care as key national priorities. The work of the Older People's Housing Taskforce clearly demonstrates that high-quality and affordable housing for older people has a critical role to play in improving health, wellbeing and independence in later life.

'The Government's response is a significant milestone and a welcome indication that ministers recognise the scale of the opportunity and the need to act quickly given our aging population. For too long, the UK has failed to deliver enough specialist housing for older people. The Taskforce's report provides a clear blueprint for change, setting out practical measures to boost supply, support consumer confidence and unlock benefits to social care.

'We look forward to seeing these recommendations translated swiftly into meaningful outcomes with a detailed implementation plan across housing, planning, health and social care to deliver significantly more homes and greater choice for older people.'

Louise Drew, Partner at HCR Law, said, 'The vast majority of the country confuses retirement housing with living in a care home and I am delighted that the Government acknowledges that issues in the older people's home ownership housing sector – including poor resale values – have led to poor outcomes for residents and reduced consumer and investor confidence.

'The debate too often treats housing wealth as a reliable measure of a person's financial security, but that can be a lazy stereotype and overlook real hardship. Some homeowners have substantial equity in their home, but limited income or inaccessible savings.

'Others don't have enough equity to purchase the retirement housing that will need their personal needs. The solution needs to recognise and help the "squeezed middle" – those with some housing equity who can't afford suitable retirement housing outright but have limited access to social rented accommodation.

'The starting point must remain choice, not pressure. People should be supported to move where they wish to – and supported to live well at home where they do not.'

To read Government's response to the Older People's Housing Taskforce report in full, visit GOV.UK.

In other news, Care England has launched a new toolkit and accompanying white paper designed to close the care home oral health gap.