COUNCIL ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT OF ASSISTED LIVING ACCOMMODATION ON THE ISLAND

The Isle of Wight Council is encouraging the development of assisted living accommodation as there is a major shortfall on the Island. Assisted living or extra care housing allows older people to retain their independence for longer — not in a residential or nursing home — living in specifically adapted properties and with a community around them. With an increasingly ageing population, the Isle of Wight Council is predicting the demand for this specific type of housing will continue to rise. It estimates the demand was already exceeding the supply by 362 units last year despite two new developments built in the last few years, in Ryde and Freshwater, providing 150 homes. The Island Independent Living Strategy was approved by the council’s cabinet last week, replacing the outdated one from 2017, and highlighting the demand for new extra care units on the Island. It also sets the authority’s ambition for improving the housing offer for older people, and what specifically is needed. The Isle of Wight Council predicts the shortfall of units will hit 526 in 2038 — which is the end of the 15 year strategy — if nothing changes. Currently, more than half of the Island’s population is over 50 years old and 1 in 10 Islanders are 75 years and older with the elderly population expected to rise. The council notes the Island is a net importer of older people, as more older people move to the Isle of Wight than away from it. In a public consultation, more than half of those who responded said they would consider moving to extra care housing whereas 16% said they would not consider it at all. With the shortfall of units, the authority has said it wants to encourage more extra care housing schemes on the Island and is open and ready to listen to developers’ proposals, while working with them and care providers to bring more projects forward. Speaking last week, Councillor Debbie Andre, the cabinet member for adult social care said the strategy sets a realistic, demand-based target to ensure the Island has sufficient accommodation in the future.