The Design of Mainstream Housing for Downsizers

Sutherland, Janet; Tarbatt, Jonathan

doi:10.1080/02763893.2016.1162257

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Local authority housing and planning officers in the case study recognised various potential benefits of providing opportunities for downsizing, including releasing 'under-occupied' larger family accommodation onto the market and allowing older people to realise housing assets that might be drawn upon to help cover housing and care costs. Meanwhile, focus groups with older people revealed an appetite for downsizing amongst older owner-occupiers, although questions were raised about whether the local housing system was geared to their needs given a reported dearth in the availability of suitable housing, findings consistent with the wider evidence base (Beach, 2016;Sutherland & Tarbatt, 2016). Local authority officers also acknowledged the importance of building to high visitability standards and reported that the council had plans over the next 2 years to develop 130 houses on eight separate sites across the case study area owned by the council that would be built to lifetime homes standards.…”

Section: New General Needs Housingmentioning

confidence: 98%

Housing options for older people in a reimagined housing system: a case study from England

Robinson

Green

Wilson

2019

International Journal of Housing Policy

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The housing options of older people now extend far beyond the traditional choice between staying put and making do, or moving to specialist housing or residential care. A flexible suite of options has emerged, centred on promoting independence and well-being. Valuable insights have been provided into the development, delivery, costs and benefits of these options. Light has also been cast on the experiences and preferences of older people. However, little is known about who gets what housing, where and why. This reflects a tendency within analysis to consider these different housing options in isolation. This study responds by situating the housing options of older people within wider debates about the reimagining of the housing system driven by the neoliberal transformation in housing politics. Taking a case study approach, it explores the gap between the ambitions of policy and realities of provision at the local level, relates this to the particular intersection of state practices and market mechanisms manifest within the case study and, in doing so, rises to the challenge of extending analysis of the impacts of the neoliberal approach on the right to housing to new groups and different settings.

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Section: New General Needs Housingmentioning

confidence: 98%

Housing options for older people in a reimagined housing system: a case study from England

Robinson

Green

Wilson

2019

International Journal of Housing Policy

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“…The need for affordable and attractive options into existing neighbourhoods for downsizers has been highlighted in order to prevent segregation into residential care institutions targeted at older people . A number of researchers have investigated the design aspects of housing options focusing on more mainstream housing accommodating older people's needs and preferences (Judd et al, 2010;Sutherland and Tarbatt, 2016;University of Sheffield, n.d.).…”

Section: Relocationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2014b) found that unlike other movers, older people who downsized are more likely to move into a form of multi-unit housing than a separate house Sutherland and Tarbatt (2016). investigated the design attributes of a case study of mainstream housing which has attracted downsizers.…”

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confidence: 99%

House Conversions and Sharing for an Ageing Population in New Zealand

Yavari¹

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<p>With the rise in the number of people aged 65+ in New Zealand, it seems increasingly important that there is a supply of appropriate housing so they can remain in their communities and ‘age in place’ for as long as possible. Evidence from both literature and statistics showed a mismatch between current and projected household characteristics and the existing housing supply in New Zealand. Therefore, this research investigated the potential for converting existing dwellings to address the housing shortfall and ageing in place in New Zealand. The aim was to make the selected houses both smaller and more age-friendly, as a means of achieving ‘ageing in place’ in well designed, and easy to heat and maintain homes. Two New Zealand housing types were investigated (villa and state house). Using the New Zealand Lifemark 3-star standard, both were redesigned with different degrees of shared space. Three designs were produced for each house, ranging from subdivision (conversion to two smaller units), to having some shared spaces such as a guest bedroom, to private en-suite bedsitting-rooms and all living spaces shared. Using a mixed methods approach, the schemes were evaluated by client and expert participants in three steps. 1. The aim of the questionnaire-based survey was to obtain comments on the conversions, particularly regarding the levels of sharing. Following the two pilot surveys and subsequent revisions, a web and paper-based questionnaire survey was undertaken by 441 respondents aged 55-85. 2. To assess the designs and specifically whether they incorporated appropriate housing standards for people aged 55+, they were evaluated by five built environment and ageing population experts. 3. To probe the reasons behind the survey results, two rounds of client focus groups of 17 participants aged 55+ were conducted. What was clear from the results, and which aligns with other studies, was that a high proportion of older people would prefer to age in place, either in their existing house or in a more suitable dwelling within their community. However, the cost of house conversions was perceived as problematic, as people felt that they would not be in a position to afford to do this, even if they could sell or let the new unit they would not occupy. On the other hand, the significant benefits of upgrading a house for older people include reduced energy bills through effective design strategies, such as thermal insulation and double-glazed windows, and incorporation of future-proof design features such as the installation of assistive devices like stair lifts. Generally, schemes with higher degrees of sharing were not attractive to many respondents and those aged 75-85 were more likely to dislike these than the younger age groups. However, both expert and client groups agreed the acceptability of sharing depends on people’s personal preferences, culture, and background. Findings from this research also show that having a spare multi-purpose room, a private deck and a good-sized dwelling with plenty of sunlight are features most people wanted. This research suggests that people aged 55–85 have very specific housing needs when it comes to ageing in place. Therefore, to ensure their requirements are met and dwellings are usable, engaging potential users in the design process at an early stage is essential.</p>

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