The provision of housing and housing-related support is vital to help people stay 'independent and well' for longer and must be part of the solution to the funding and support needs of an ageing population.

That's according to the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) which has welcomed recognition in the Care and Support Green Paper of the value of housing services as part of a joined-up response to the health and care needs of older people.

CIH is already working with the Department of Health's Housing Learning and Improvement Network (LIN) to produce guidance later in the year on how housing, health and social care services should plan together more closely to prevent the need for later, more costly support.

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Sarah Webb, CIH Chief Executive, said: "We are pleased that the government is exploring options for funding the care and support system that can avoid thousands of older people being forced to sell their homes to pay for care, and it would be useful to go further in looking at equity release schemes that could help families fund part of the care burden.

"We welcome the message that the government will continue to encourage a range of housing support schemes that allow people to stay in their own homes with additional support or adaptations or move into extra care schemes or newly designed homes which can meet their needs better.

"Housing-related support services save around £3.4 billion on health and care costs per year and this vital contribution must continue to be recognised and built on for the future."

(CD/BMcC)