Decent Homes for Ageing Well
In March 2020, Care & Repair England published a brochure highlighting the health benefits for older people that home improvements could deliver – while also cutting NHS costs and reducing the widening gaps in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy.
Decent Homes for Ageing Well is based on data analysis by BRE, which used the BRE Trust Full Cost of Poor Housing methodology. This brochure sets out the case for action to make existing homes better places to live and age well and calls for immediate action to improve non-decent homes lived in by older people, 78% of which are owner occupied.
It suggests that older people simply want to:
- Be safe, warm and independent.
- Live as part of their community.
- Stay actively involved with their family and friends.
- Age well at home.
But more than 2 million older people are living in non-decent homes, putting their health at risk and costing the NHS £1.4 billion a year.
Care & Repair England is an independent charitable organisation established in 1986 which aims to improve older people’s housing.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- BRE articles.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Decent homes standard.
- Homes and ageing in England.
- Quantifying the health benefits of the Decent Homes programme FB 64.
- The cost of poor housing to the NHS.
- The cost-benefit to the NHS arising from preventative housing interventions (FB82).
- The full cost of poor housing in Wales.
- The full cost of poor housing.
- The real cost of poor housing.
Featured articles and news
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.