Resources

The Older Peoples Housing Champion’s Network keeps in touch with useful national resources that can aid local housing action

The United Nation’s Consultation on the Right To Adequate Housing Of Older People– a response from the Older Peoples Housing Champion’s Network. 

The United Nations have launched an open consultation into the right to adequate housing of older people. Following the consultation, a report will be produced and presented to the 2022 UN General Assembly. The Older Peoples Housing Champion’s Network have submitted a response to this consultation which can be accessed below.

The response contains useful information, context, policy, research and statistics around key housing areas, drawing on the experiences of older people from across the country and the Older Peoples Housing Champions Network’s key recommendations for the improvement of housing related policy, planning and delivery in England.

It is hoped that this response can be used as reference tool by older people’s forums and groups who wish to influence local housing policy, plans and actions.

The Older Peoples Housing Champion’s Network response to this consultation can be accessed here:  Questionnaire_Housing_ Consultation Response

Terms of Reference template for forums and groups to use when setting up

We have developed a Terms of Reference template for local groups to use when setting up. 

This Terms of Reference document (ToR) describes the purpose, scope and authority of the group. It includes clear and specific information about what the Older People’s Housing Action Group (OPHAG) is trying to achieve, membership, how it is organised and practical arrangements for meetings/ decision making.

OPHAG – ToR template

Special subject guides useful for local action

The Champions have published a number of special subject guides for local forums, groups and stakeholders.

These provide an introduction to the subject for the non-expert and ideas for local action.

• Help with home adaptations: Improving local services – including a ‘Challenge Checklist’

• Housing disrepair: Improving non-decent homes 

• Planning ahead: Influencing local planning on housing and ageing 

Background research evidence and policy

Publications produced by the Housing Champions and Care & Repair England 2016-2020. Click here

Click here to access a list of other useful research, evidence and policies for local action .

Practical examples of local action on housing

The guides below offer practical ideas for local older people’s forums and groups who want to influence local housing policy, plans and actions.

Older People’s Housing in Bristol – The importance of “Location” and in “Having a Say”

This report includes a link to the film produced in partnership with the Bristol Older People’s Forum, Care & Repair England and Bristol Ageing Better, “Living at Home: Five Stories from Older People”.

Slough 50plus Forum

• Slough 50plus Forum- Older People’s Housing in Slough- Recognising diversity and the importance of home (June 2019)

The report includes links to the personalised “Digital Stories” from some of the forum members.

• The meaning of home: Ivy’s Story
• The meaning of home: Jadine’s Story
• The meaning of home: Alma and St Clair’s Story
• The meaning of home: Colin and Kaki’s Story

London

• Adapting homes for ageing well in London- Older Londoners’ experiences of home adaptations and opportunities to improve provision  (June 2019)

The report includes findings from both the London-wide and London Borough of Hackney focus groups.

Greater Manchester Older People’s Network

• Greater Manchester Older People’s Network developing its own housing manifesto  (July 2018)

Hull

• Gathering marginalised older people’s views via a local ‘Listening Lunch’ (June 2018)

Leeds Older People’s Forum

• Leeds Older People’s Forum shaping a local older people’s housing strategy 
• Leeds Older People’s Forum Housing Strategy: https://housingactionblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/lopf-housing-strategy-2017.pdf   (July 2018)

Age UK London

• Older Londoners influencing the Mayor’s housing strategy  
• London Mayor’s Housing Strategy Consultation Online Survey:  https://housingactionblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/london-mayors-housing-strategy-consultation-online-survey-november-2017.pdf  (July 2018)

MRS Independent Living

• Older people using IT to pass on housing and care information to their peers in Hackney   [2018]

Elders Council of Newcastle

Housing Voices – how Elders Council of Newcastle, working with Skimstone Arts and Northumbria University, have used theatre and film to engage people in later life conversations about their housing.

• Report Housing Voices July 18
• Link to film which can be used by others (July 2018)
• Resource pack Housing Voices July 18

Wirral Older People’s Parliament

Wirral Older People’s Parliament outreach action to involve older people in Birkenhead and Wallasey concerning proposed waterfront re-development

• Report of the Wirral Older People’s Parliament Housing Conference   (May 2018)

Click here for examples of other work undertaken by the Older People’s Housing Champions Group.

Right To Manage Case Study a case study on how a group of older residents developed a right to manage company for a retirement scheme in the Wirral, North West  (May 2016)

Age Friendly Street Design A practical report on street design produced as a result of work with the Manchester Age Friendly Design Group (September 2016)

Guides for local action 

An overview of the planning system and potential opportunities to influence the homes and neighbourhoods being planned click here

(November 2018)

Living Safely and Well at Home

Brochure:

• Care and Repair England have updated the Living Safely and Well at Home brochure.

This resource provides a  practical guide to support people in making their homes safer and healthier. The brochure explains how common housing issues may affect a person’s health, how to make improvements, and who to turn to for more information and practical help.

(April 2020)

Self- Trainer:

• Care and Repair have updated the Living Safely and Well Self- Trainer.

This self-training module is for people who visit older people at home eg. health care staff, care workers, hospital visitors and voluntary sector to give general advice on a range of topics.

It has been designed to develop knowledge and skills by increasing understanding of:

• the effects of poor housing on people’s health
• the simple actions that can be taken to improve housing conditions
• the organisations that can help to improve people’s housing conditions

The toolkit will enable you to:

• identify potential health hazards and problems in the home
• provide the people you visit with details about how to improve their health/reduce injury risk by dealing with these housing problems, and
• make referrals to those who can help them

(May 2020)