The Housing Committee met on Thursday 22 October 2026 to discuss housing for older Londoners. The committee heard from experts about the challenges of providing suitable mainstream and specialist housing, and the need for greater investment and policy reform to address the growing demand. The committee agreed to recommend to the GLA Oversight Committee the appointment of Elly Baker AM as a rapporteur to investigate social tenant voice through Tenants and Residents Associations.

Housing for Older Londoners

The committee held an extensive discussion on the challenges and opportunities surrounding housing for older Londoners. Experts highlighted that while most older Londoners live in mainstream housing, over 90% of this stock is not suitable for their needs. Issues raised included the need for greater accessibility and adaptability in homes, the increasing number of older private renters, and the impact of unsuitable housing on health and well-being, leading to isolation and increased social care requirements.

Concerns were raised about the lack of dementia-inclusive design in the London Plan and the need for faith and culture-sensitive housing. The panel also discussed the myth of older people living in large, under-occupied homes, noting that many wish to downsize but face barriers such as stamp duty and a lack of suitable smaller properties. The increasing prevalence of private renting among older people was highlighted as a significant future challenge, with projections suggesting it could quadruple by 2040.

The discussion also covered the importance of age-friendly communities, emphasizing the need for accessible transport, green spaces, and community facilities. The challenges of adapting existing homes were discussed, with particular attention paid to the complexities faced by private renters and the limitations of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) cap.

The committee also explored specialist housing options, including independent living, extra care housing, and community-led models. Experts stressed the significant financial savings to the NHS and social care from appropriate specialist housing, with estimates suggesting savings of over £1,800 per resident per year for housing with care. The lack of suitable specialist housing options for older homeowners was identified as a major issue, with many facing the choice between leaving London, remaining in unsuitable homes, or moving into expensive care homes.

Barriers to building new specialist homes in London were identified as limited land supply, higher design and construction costs for specialist housing, and the complexities of the planning system. The Draft London Plan's targets for older persons' housing were noted, but concerns were raised about the lack of mandatory figures and a housing delivery test.

The committee also discussed the importance of tenure models, with a call for more innovation beyond traditional leasehold and a need for the London Plan to accommodate alternative tenure models that have proven successful internationally. The role of the Mayor and local authorities in providing strategic leadership and partnership working across health, housing, and social care was emphasized.

Rapporteurship - Social Tenant Voice Through Tenants and Residents Associations in London

The committee agreed to recommend to the GLA Oversight Committee the appointment of Elly Baker AM as a rapporteur to investigate social tenant voice through Tenants and Residents Associations (TRAs) in London. The investigation will explore how tenant voices are represented, examine barriers to effective TRAs, understand how boroughs support TRAs, and consider actions the Mayor and Government can take to strengthen tenant voice. The investigation is anticipated to launch in late 2026.

Outstanding Actions

The committee noted the outstanding actions arising from its previous meetings.

Responses to Committee Outputs

The committee noted the response from the Mayor of London to its letter on rough sleeping in London. The Mayor's response detailed ongoing work through the Ending Homelessness Accelerator Programme (EHAP), the allocation of £40 million in revenue funding for supported housing, and the use of the CHAIN database to inform service design. Changes to StreetLink London were also noted, aiming to support those at risk of rough sleeping, not just those currently sleeping rough. The Mayor also highlighted the new Heat Ready London plan, which includes actions to strengthen outreach for vulnerable groups during heat risk events.

Housing Committee Work Programme

The committee noted its work programme, which includes future discussions on housing for older Londoners, the type of homes London needs, and standards in social housing. The next meeting is scheduled for 24 November 2026.