Press Release

NEW HOMES FOR AN AGEING POPULATION –WHAT ABOUT THE AGEING POPULATION LIVING IN AGEING HOMES?

27 February 2008

The Government today announced that ‘Every new home built in England will have to be designed to suit an ageing population’ as laid out in their report ‘Lifetime homes, lifetime neighbours – a national strategy for housing in an ageing society’.

They suggest that the new standards are adopted by April 2008 with a possibility of them becoming compulsory in 2013.

Whilst the National Insulation Association (NIA) applauds investment in the wellbeing of the future generation of the elderly population, it urges action to improve the current housing stock. The 2005 England House Condition Survey states that there are over two million people aged 65 and over living in non decent homes.

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive, said ‘Many elderly people live in older homes which are cold, uninsulated and fail thermal efficiency. It is vitally important to treat the older less energy efficient homes that the elderly are living in today.’

‘There are several grants available to the public which can offer subsidies of up to 50% of the cost of insulation and in some cases it can even be FREE. With rising house prices, high levels of fuel poverty and the recent energy price increases there has never been a better time than now to insulate these homes’.

‘We urge all those who live in a cold inefficient home to contact one of our members to find out about the benefits of insulation and the grants available.’

To find a local NIA approved installer in your area and take the first step towards a warmer home with cheaper energy bills visit www.nationalinsulationassociation.org.uk.