The government acknowledges that more can be done to grow the purpose-built older people’s housing sector and notes the Taskforce’s assessment of how we might learn from international comparators – such as New Zealand – to do so.
The government's says today's response will be followed by a wider roadmap, setting out how the whole of government intends to take forward this work in the years to come.
Commenting on the government's response, Michael Voges, Chief Executive of ARCO, said:
"It's fantastic the government has accepted all the recommendations of the Older People's Housing Task Force - but the hard work starts now.
The world has changed since the Task Force concluded, with economic headwinds sweeping the housing sector and inflationary pressures on household budgets.
Half a million people now turn 80 each year - the average age of moving into an Integrated Retirement Community. The government has bold plans for devolution, place-making and a National Care Service - but equally bold action on housing for our ageing population is required.
Older people's housing could make a much bigger contribution to general housing supply - as shown by New Zealand - but this means putting affordability first, thinking very differently about tenure and consumer regulation, and learning from other countries. We're pleased the government has already said it is exploring ARCO's proposals for a bespoke tenure for housing-with-care with a view to amending the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill."
In its Task Force response, the government notes issues in the private, for-sale older people’s housing sector – including poor resale values - and says that in response, it will take forward research into resale values of private older people’s housing, to deepen understanding of the drivers behind resale values and why some models retain their value, while others do not.
Michael Voges said:
"We welcome the government's decision to take forward research into resale values of private older people’s housing, to deepen our understanding of the drivers behind resale values and why some models retain their value, while others do not. Different models of older people's housing lead to different outcomes for consumers. Independent evidence shows that models in which operators have a direct financial interest in resale values - such as Integrated Retirement Communities - track average house price inflation over the long-term. Understanding this will be key to consumer confidence in future."
Notes to Editors:
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ARCO is the national membership body for charity, not-for-profit and private operators of modern housing-with-care schemes - known as Integrated Retirement Communities (IRCs).
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ARCO led the campaign for the creation of a Task Force on older people's housing. ARCO's Chair - Nick Sanderson - was a member of the Task Force.
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The Older People's Housing Task Force was launched in 2023 and chaired by Professor Julienne Meyer. The final report of the Task Force was submitted to government just before the 2024 general election campaign and published by government on 26 November 2024. The final report can be found here: Our Future Homes: Housing that promotes wellbeing and community for an ageing population - GOV.UK
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In New Zealand, two of the three largest housebuilders are operators of Integrated Retirement Communities - known there as retirement villages. In October 2025, ARCO published "Blueprint New Zealand" - a policy discussion paper setting out how the UK could match the success of the New Zealand retirement village sector. A subsequent working paper explored how New Zealand's distinctive 'contrat' tenure used in retirement villages could be recreated in the UK: The Retirement Occupancy Lease - Applying international best practice to housing with care_1.pdf Speaking during a House of Lords debate on 20 July 2026, Housing Minister Baroness Taylor said the Government is examining international examples, including New Zealand's retirement village model, to determine whether changes to the legislation may be required. Baroness Taylor said: "I am exploring the models ARCO has advocated, so that we can look into developments in this area, such as housing in New Zealand that is working particularly well. I want to explore such models so that we can see whether we need to amend the drafting of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill to facilitate those types of approaches."
