A new draft strategy to help older people in Stoke-on-Trent live well for longer is set to be approved for consultation by cabinet next week.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has drawn up proposals for the draft Older People’s Housing Strategy 2023-2028 which aims to support the city’s residents as they grow older.
The draft strategy has been developed to ensure the city council can meet the current and future needs of older people living in the city for the next five years and help residents to be as independent as possible for as long as possible.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has worked with key partners including Arc4, Saltbox, Staffordshire Housing, Deaflinks and the Alzheimer’s Society to draw up the draft proposals.
The draft strategy is expected to be approved for consultation at Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s cabinet meeting on Tuesday, November 8. It will then go out to consultation on Monday, November 28 for nine weeks.
Councillor Carl Edwards, cabinet member for housing and environment, said: “Since 2015, significant progress has been made to improve the housing options and support services for older people in Stoke-on-Trent.
As a city council we have led the development of new extra care schemes, sheltered housing and residential units including the £8.7 million redevelopment of Queen Elizabeth II Court in Fenton and the soon to-to-be completed Rialto Court off City Road, Fenton. We have also launched our AskSARA website which offers impartial advice about equipment to make daily living easier.
“We hope our new Older People’s Housing Strategy will enable us to continue our great work and allow us to build on our success. The document is still in its draft form so we will soon be inviting residents, housing providers, delivery partners and stakeholders to share their views to ensure the strategy is fit for purpose and reflects the wider needs of the community.”
New research has found that the number of people in Stoke-on-Trent aged 65 and over is expected to rise by 22.9 per cent in the next 18 years - from 45,548 in 2022 to 55,998 in 2040. This means that, by 2040, there will be an extra 10,450 residents aged 65 and above living in the city.
The draft Older People’s Housing Strategy focuses on four strategic objectives. They are:
• To deliver an increasing choice of new, high quality, affordable housing options;
• To promote living well at home for longer;
• To encourage people to think earlier about their home in later life;
• To support complex needs.
Councillor Ally Simcock, cabinet member for adult social care and health care, said: “Regardless of whether people rent or own their home, homes need to be accessible, adaptable and technology-enabled. They need to be safe and warm in established and vibrant neighbourhoods.
“Getting this right has a remarkable impact on people’s health and wellbeing. It improves general health, enables people to maintain independence and is the platform on which people can live well and create positive futures.
“This strategy will play a key role in helping us to create safe, healthy and age-friendly neighbourhoods where older people feel empowered and thrive.”
- More articles in the news archive
- Stoke-on-Trent news RSS feed