Date published: December 3, 2024
Shared Lives Plus welcomes recognition in the Older People’s Housing Taskforce Report
Shared Lives Plus is proud to be acknowledged in Our Future Homes: Housing that Promotes Wellbeing and Community for an Ageing Population, the recently published report by the Older People’s Housing Taskforce.
This government-commissioned research highlights the transformative role of community-led housing models, including Shared Lives, in addressing the housing and care needs of an ageing population.
The report highlights the growing need for alternative housing options for older people, with up to four million people aged 55 and older expressing interest in moving to more suitable housing. However, only a small fraction make this transition due to barriers such as financial constraints and a lack of accessible, affordable housing. Community-based models, like Shared Lives, are recognised for their ability to address these challenges by fostering connections, independence, and intergenerational living.
The report stresses the importance of enabling older people to live in environments that promote choice and belonging, noting:
“…We need to promote the development of a greater range of community-led housing options (e.g., co-housing and Shared Lives) – where senior citizens share their homes or neighbourhoods with people of their own choice and sometimes of all ages.”
A case study of our member organisation, PSS, featured in the report, demonstrates the benefits of Shared Lives arrangements. By enabling individuals to live in shared home settings with approved carers, Shared Lives provides a cost-effective, adaptable solution that promotes wellbeing
Ewan King, CEO of Shared Lives Plus, said:
“We are delighted to see the Taskforce highlight Shared Lives as a vital community-based solution. Our model enables older adults to lead meaningful, independent lives while maintaining strong connections to their communities. We are committed to working with policymakers and local authorities to expand Shared Lives, ensuring that every older person has access to compassionate, personalised housing and care options.”
While the report notes that Shared Lives carers do not typically provide personal care, we wish to clarify that many arrangements for older people do include personal care, delivered either by carers themselves or through coordinated support services. This flexibility ensures the model meets a wide range of care needs.
