As a leading structural warranty provider, Advantage works with a broad range of clients within the construction sector, from retirement specialists to social housing developers to major house builders, to name but a few.

Back in June we wrote about how the nation’s leading developers specialising in retirement homes were calling on the government to ensure that more housing was being built for older people. And it’s since emerged that there has been a ‘very significant’ increase in the number of older people enquiring about and moving to retirement communities.

As reported by The Planner, The Associated Retirement Community Operators (ARCO) surveyed its members, which comprise 27 not-for-profit and private operators, with 85 per cent indicating that sales and letting in the last month were higher than in the same period in 2019. Of the respondents, 55 per cent indicate that sales and lettings are at least 30 per cent higher than in 2019, with 25 per cent reporting that sales and lettings are as much as 50 per cent higher.

How COVID-19 is rapidly changing where house buyers want to live  

The new retirement figures were released following a period during which UK house prices as a whole have hit a record high as buyers seek out extra room.

According to the survey, 65 per cent of operators believe that the most common drivers of the increase in demand for retirement communities are a desire for more company and social interaction, and a realisation that the homes people were living in were no longer suitable for them. In addition, 60 per cent suggest that moving to a retirement community was driven by the fact that people wanted access to a support network in case of another period of lockdown to control COVID-19.

Bridging the gap in the market for aspirational retirement communities

The retirement community has asked the government to create a Housing-with-Care Task Force to help to unlock barriers to the expansion of the sector.

Michael Voges, executive director of ARCO, said:

“These figures confirm a trend our members have been observing for a long time: there is a huge gap in the UK market for aspirational living options combining both social interaction and optional support services. An ever-growing number of older people are reviewing their housing, support and care needs in the face of the current pandemic, and are seeking out retirement communities that enable them to live independently for as long as possible.”

Related features: “Exceptional levels of demand” drive house price growth.

How to create housing for inter-generational living.

Advantage Home Construction Insurance is a leading structural warranties specialist. Tel: 0845 900 3969, email: sales@ahci.co.uk or pay a visit to our homepage: https://ahci.co.uk/