Latest data from Rangeford Villages, a developer of lifestyle communities for the over 60s, reveals a 24% increase in the number of buyer enquiries for their properties in 2021 compared to 2020. At the same time viewings were up a staggering 38%, indicating exceptionally strong demand for suitable housing solutions from the UK’s 15.5 million people aged 60+.
Supporting the fact that our country is under pressure to provide downsizers with more adequate property choices is a pre-pandemic report, released by Age UK in 2019. It states there are just 514,340 units of specialist retirement properties in England with only 70,000 of these offering a senior alert system or another care element. Age UK says by 2035, England’s shortfall in purpose-built housing for older people will reach the 400,000 mark.
Howard Nankivell, CEO of Rangeford Villages, said: “We have witnessed a clear spike in buyer enquiries during the pandemic from people looking to move in the near-future. Millions of elderly people were left completely isolated during lockdown, which led to them and their family members realising the benefits of living in an integrated retirement community with like-minded people. As a result, many of the current enquiries are driven by downsizers who are eager to find a living solution that offers a safety net in terms of support and wellbeing services alongside lifestyle amenities.”
A recent resident survey, conducted at Rangeford’s later living village Wadswick Green in Corsham, revealed that 92% of residents said they felt extremely safe, supported and comforted, knowing other people were around during the lockdowns. At the time, Hilary Flack, a resident at Wadswick Green, said: “The village team have been amazing and have reacted to all the government rules and regulations very promptly. For example, tables and chairs have been spread out in the grounds and under the trees, carefully spaced, so that residents can safely meet at a distance.
“They have come up with some lovely ideas to cheer us up. For Easter, one of the concierges dressed up as an Easter Bunny and delivered chocolate Easter eggs. On VE day we all received a delivery of scones, jam, clotted cream and a teabag in a special gift bag. It was a lovely surprise and such a thoughtful thing to do. During two particularly hot spells of weather a Mr Whippy ice cream van came to visit. When the familiar tune rang out people appeared from all the courtyards and headed for the ice cream van, we formed a queue two metres apart of course! I think I saw more people that day cheerful, happy and chatty than I had at any other time over the past three months.”
