Housing, Health and the Over-60s: Why Poor Homes Are Making Us Sick

Across the UK & the Midlands, we are facing a housing crisis that particularly affects older people. For those aged over 60, housing is more than a roof over one’s head – it is a foundation for health, independence and wellbeing. Yet too many older people live in homes that are cold, damp, unsafe or inaccessible. The result is not just discomfort, but a significant and costly impact on physical and mental health.

The scale of the problem

Research shows that around 3.7 million homes in England fall below the government’s minimum standard of decency. How many of these are within the Midlands and our own Registered Landlords? Within these homes, nearly 8 million people live in conditions that actively pose risks to health and wellbeing – and 2.6 million of them are aged 55 or over. Despite the growing need for accessible and supportive housing, more than 90% of older people continue to live in mainstream homes that are often unsuitable for later life. Do we really know the extend of the need within our Midlands Social Housing Stock?

The lack of appropriate housing is compounded by low supply. Only about 7,000 specialist homes for later living are built each year, when the real need is four to six times greater. This leaves many older people stuck in properties that were never designed with ageing in mind. Again, do we know the needs within our social housing stock here in the Midlands?

Homes that harm

Poor housing is not an abstract issue – it translates into everyday struggles. For older people, cold homes, damp, leaks, and structural problems are all too common. One study found that 4.5 million people aged 50+ with health conditions worsened by cold are living in homes with at least one serious problem. These issues not only reduce comfort but actively exacerbate chronic illnesses such as respiratory disease, arthritis and heart conditions. How are we leading the way in the social housing sector to improve the affordability of how our tenants heat their homes?

The risks are not evenly spread. Older renters with long-term health issues are much more likely to experience multiple housing problems than those who own their homes outright. People from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds are also disproportionately affected – almost half of over-50s with a health condition in these groups live in homes with serious defects. Regional differences are stark too: in London, more than half of older people with health conditions live in inadequate housing. Is this similar to the Midlands?

The health consequences

The effects of substandard housing ripple across both physical and mental health. Damp and cold increase the risk of respiratory infections and cardiovascular illness. Poor insulation and faulty heating systems heighten the risk of hypothermia in winter. Unsafe layouts, lack of adaptations, and trip hazards all increase the likelihood of falls – a leading cause of hospital admissions among older people.

Beyond physical health, poor housing is linked with anxiety, depression and social isolation. When a home feels unsafe or unsuitable, it becomes harder for people to remain active, maintain independence, or welcome family and friends. In later life, this loss of confidence and connection can be devastating.

The cost to society

The NHS shoulders a heavy burden from poor housing. It is estimated that half of the £1.1 billion spent each year treating health problems linked to bad housing relates to older people. Falls alone are a major driver of hospital admissions, with recovery often requiring long stays and costly social care support.

The tragedy is that much of this is preventable. Better housing – warmer, safer, more accessible – would not only protect older people’s health but also reduce pressure on health and care services. Estimates suggest that building 30,000 new specialist homes for later living each year could save £2.1 billion annually across health and social care budgets. How many new homes in the Midlands are lifetime homes or specialists for later life living? Affordability is also an issue here, older tenants in social housing may well still have Fair Rents applied and moving to a new home or one with additional support may be unaffordable without additional benefits payable. This could be a barrier to moving into more suitable housing.

One area that many in the Social Housing sector may fail to address is the under-occupation issue, how many older people in this sector live in the oldest social housing stock? Have you had a conversation with your tenants about their needs and how you can help? Or do you rely on the tenant trying to deal with distant landlords and the online lettings system? Do you offer any incentives to help these older tenants move into more appropriate and suitable accommodation as they age and health needs change?

A call for action

We cannot ignore the link between poor housing and poor health. As our population ages, ensuring older people have safe, secure, and suitable homes must become a national & regional priority. Investment in social housing, retrofitting existing properties, and scaling up the construction of accessible retirement housing are urgent steps. Alongside really understanding older tenants needs and real affordability.

Decent homes are more than bricks and mortar – they are the foundations of health and dignity in later life. Every older person deserves to live in a home that supports, rather than undermines, their wellbeing. Addressing the housing crisis for the over-60s is not just about fairness – it is about building a healthier, affordable & a more sustainable future for us all.

This is a personal blog post.  Any opinions, findings, and conclusion or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Centre for the New Midlands or any of our associated organisations/individuals.

ABOUT OUR AUTHOR:

Carole Donnelly spent over 30 years working in the social housing, tenant involvement, community development & social enterprise sector across the Midlands. Carole added Health Coaching to her extensive professional experiences and focuses on ‘Ageing Well & Live Better’ for the over 55’s. Carole established Community Joined-Up Development (CJD) during the pandemic and supported a wide variety of community businesses and social enterprises to thrive and develop their businesses. More recently Carole has set up Golden Years Coaching as a social enterprise to help us age well. Housing, communities and health is the cornerstone of what motivates Carole to ensure the voice of older people are still heard & valued.

Carole Donnelly has spent her life in social housing as a tenant and as a housing & community development professional she established Community Joined-Up Development during the pandemic in 2020 visit www.cjd.org.uk for further details.

Carole has added Health & Wellness Coaching for the over 55’s to her extensive experience via Golden Years Coaching, a Social Enterprise that focuses on the over 55’s to feel stronger, live better and age well. Contact: carole@gyc.org.uk or visit www.gyc.org.uk