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Government publishes "age-friendly" housing strategy

25/02/2008

Plans to create "age-friendly" housing in Britain have been unveiled by the government.

The blueprints, dubbed unique by the government itself, compel new builds to allow people to stay in their homes for as long as possible.

From 2013 onwards, new houses will be required to meet standards of wider doors for easier wheelchair access and electric sockets placed at higher, more convenient heights.

Gordon Brown said older people in Britain stood to benefit from "more comfortable and secure housing" under the plans.

Speaking from Downing Street the prime minister said homes would no longer represent "obstacle courses" for their ageing owners.

"This strategy sets out a package of measures that will enable more older people to live in high quality, warm environments that are suited to their needs - homes that help to make life easier, and to turn the challenges of ageing into opportunities," Mr Brown explained.

Help the Aged said it was "delighted" by the government's plans, but the Home Builders Federation warned house prices could be forced higher as a result.