Scotland facing 'significant' undersupply of housing for senior people

Scotland is facing a “significant” undersupply of housing for senior people, according to new research.

A study by Edinburgh-based Sovereign Property Partnership, in conjunction with the University of Aberdeen and the Elderly Accommodation Counsel, has examined the level of demand and supply of age-related housing across the country.

A study by Edinburgh-based firm Sovereign Property Partnership, conducted in conjunction with the University of Aberdeen and the Elderly Accommodation Counsel, has examined the level of demand and supply of age-related housing across the country.

It found that the level of supply at a county level reveals that there is significant undersupply with some “striking” regional differences.

The research found that across the statutory, voluntary and private sectors the average percentage of supply of senior housing units versus the population of over-65s in Scotland stood at only 5 per cent. Supply by region varied from as high as 17 per cent in Dundee to as low as 1 per cent in Orkney.

Andrew Fyfe, founder of Sovereign Property Partnership and co-author of the research, sits on the Scottish Government cross party group “Older People, Age and Ageing” which focuses on helping the Scottish Parliament to address the challenges of an ageing population.

He said: “Data from the Scottish Government and the Elderly Accommodation Counsel formed the basis of our figures and the results are quite staggering.

“Given that by 2035 over 30 per cent of the population in Scotland will be over 60 (presently 23 per cent) and by 2039 over 800,000 people will be aged 75 or over (an 85 per cent increase), preparation and planning for new supply of senior housing would seem urgent to give seniors choice on the type of housing that suits their needs and to avoid a housing crisis among the elderly.”

Professor Norman Hutchison of the University of Aberdeen, also a co-author of the research, said: “The forecast growing demand considered against the current undersupply of senior housing presents an opportunity for housing developers to plug the gap.

“Our research also revealed a latent demand among the most elderly to lease their home, opening up an opportunity for investors.

“The design of new developments should be flexible to allow for changes in need as the occupier ages and include the latest IT solutions to home living,” he added.

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