Cohousing helps prolong independence and reduce loneliness says influential House of Commons report that wants the housing process to become easier.
The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee has called on Government to produce a national strategy for older people’s housing and for better information on the multiple housing options available to older people, including cohousing.
The report urges the Government to recognise the link between homes and health and social care, and for guidance to local authorities to be put in place to support the increasing number of people turning to cohousing through the planning system.
Cohousing, a popular housing option in northern Europe, is growing in the UK. There are currently 19 lived-in schemes and 69 forming and developing groups. The Committee heard evidence on the country’s first completed senior cohousing community, New Ground, the Older Women’s Cohousing Community in Barnet.
Anna Kear, Executive Director at UK Cohousing, said:
“Cohousing is different to traditional housing models – it is a form of community-led housing that enables people to have control as it is created and run by its residents. Cohousing is attracting the attention of many older people who value their independence and wellbeing, and understand the importance of being socially connected and active in later life.
“We were pleased to be invited by the CLG committee to provide evidence and happy to see that such positive recommendations have been made to Government. The new Community Housing Fund will help groups access resources and UK Cohousing is happy to collaborate with Government to promote cohousing.”
[button size=”medium” style=”primary” text=”Read the full report here” link=”https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmcomloc/370/370.pdf” target=””]