A government-backed report says Britain needs between 30,000 and 50,000 new retirement homes a year, depending on demand, but can only build around 7,000 a year.
An independent report from the Aged Housing Task Force outlines growing pressure on housing for over-65s. 
It points out that as of the 2021 census, more than 11 million people, or 18.6% of the population, were aged 65 or older, compared to 16.4% as of the previous census in 2011.
The study estimates that by 2066, the elderly population will grow by 8.3 million people, equivalent to 26% of the UK population, and “approximately the size of London's population today”.
The organization also points out that 91% of people over the age of 65 currently live in regular housing, which is “housing unsuitable for aging.''
It found that only 12% of older adults had horizontal access to their buildings, and 46% had toilets on the entrance level of their homes.
It added that “more than half of older households” live in homes with an energy efficiency rating of D or lower. A rating of C or higher is considered acceptable by the government.
The task force said: “Ensuring suitable, accessible and affordable housing for later life is a social obligation, which is severely lacking in the current housing market.” There is.
The report makes nine “core recommendations”, some of which relate directly to housing. they are:
This should include adapted mainstream housing, community-led facilities, supported housing, supported housing and care homes.
Greater incentives for retirement housing investment
The report states: “If developers and operators can build and operate housing options that customers can buy and live in, investors will provide capital funding to foster the growth of supportive housing and supported housing. ”
“In turn, the ability to connect seniors with the ‘right choice’, ‘right size’ and ‘right price’ will be key to securing the capital investment needed to drive growth in this sector.”
National and local planning policies should “help deliver greater quantity and variety” of retirement housing
As part of this, local planning authorities will need to “make better and more timely choices in planning applications” for retirement housing.
Audley Group chief executive Nick Sanderson welcomed the “focus” the report brought to the area.
Mr Sanderson said: “This report puts a real focus on the housing challenges currently facing the UK’s aging population and makes concrete recommendations to improve the problem.
“We hear a lot about the housing crisis, but so far we hear less about how to solve it in a way that benefits the entire population, not just first-time homebuyers.
