Age

Context

According to the Office of National Statistics the age structure of the UK population has become older in the last three decades, and is likely to become older still in the next three. The median (average) age rose from 34.1 years in 1971 to 38.6 in 2004 and is projected to rise to 42.9 in 2031.

The proportion of the population aged under 16 is declining due to sustained low fertility.  In 1971 over 25 per cent of the population were aged under age 16.  This fell again to 19 per cent in 2004 and is projected to fall further to 17 per cent by 2031.

The percentage of people over state pension age has also increased from 16 per cent in 1971 to 19 per cent in 2004.  The most substantial growth has occurred among those aged 85 and above.  The proportion of the UK population aged 85 or over has more than doubled from 0.9 per cent in 1971 to 1.9 per cent in 2004.

The increase in older people is a result of the relatively high number of births that occurred in the first two decades of the 20th century, combined with increased longevity at older ages.  The rising proportion of the oldest old in particular has significant implications in terms of welfare, health and social support.

Housing Needs Survey

In 2005 Eastbourne Borough Council carried out a Housing Needs Survey designed to ascertain current housing needs and likely requirements over the next 5 years.

The Survey data also suggested a potential demand over the next 5 years for 543 affordable housing units for older people currently resident in Eastbourne.  In addition, there is a potential demand from some 377 older people predicted to move into the Borough over the same 5 year period. 

The Survey found that there is a strong demand for the current affordable housing stock, including that managed by EHL. 

Eastbourne’s Population

Data from the 2001 Census indicates the total number of people broken down by age living in Eastbourne are:

Of this 3,104 classified themselves as permanently sick or disabled and 11,013 were retired.

Customer Audit

Information from the Customer Audit indicates that approximately 60% of households in EHLs properties include someone aged 60 or over. We also know just over 9% are wheelchair users and around half of all tenants have a disability or long-term limiting illness. 

The significantly increasing older population places importance on the development of a deliverable Disabled Adaptations services and Older Persons’ Strategy and the development of sustainable plans for EHL’s Retirement Courts.

EHL has identified two particular areas for improvement; disabled adaptations and lifetime homes, and energy efficiency and affordable warmth.  Our Asset Management section outlines our plans for these areas.

Eastbourne Homes customer profile, based on 2631 valid returns from our customer audit , indicates,

• 17% of tenants and 8% of leaseholders have two adults in household at least one over 60

• 52% of households have at least one person over 60 years old living there

• 20% of tenants and 4% of leaseholders have children under 16 living at home

• 948 Women are aged 60 and over

• 1190 Women are aged under 60

• 768 Men are aged 60 and over

• 680 Men are aged under 60

New legislation, which came into force on 1 October 2006 and comes under the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 gives individuals important new rights and protection. 

Age Regulations make it illegal to treat someone unfairly in employment or vocational training because of their age without a good reason. It is good news as it gives more rights and opportunities at work.

It is the first time that all people of working age (or older) are covered by a strand of anti-discrimination legislation – irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.