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Half a million baby boomers hit by unaffordable rents and lack of suitable housing, as housing benefit bill for pensioners set to double.

New research published today by the National Housing Federation – which represents housing associations, social landlords to more than 5 million people – reveals the staggering numbers of ‘hidden’ baby boomers that have been hit by the housing crisis.

The findings show that in the last year more than two fifths (44%) of private renters in England aged 50 and over (almost 500,000 people) were forced to make potentially drastic decisions to cover the cost of their rent, including borrowing money from their own children, taking out loans and cutting down on food and heating. A quarter (25%) of those aged 50 plus (around 52,000 people) who moved house in the last three years have been forced to do so against their will. Many more are stuck in unsuitable housing, leaving people unable to wash, go to the toilet or leave their homes independently.

Terrie Alafat, chief executive of CIH, says new figures from the Office for National Statistics demonstrate the desperate need for new genuinely affordable housing.

Responding to the publication of Housing affordability in England and Wales by the Office for National Statistics, which demonstrates how unaffordable house purchasing has become, Terrie Alafat, chief executive of CIH said “The statistics released by the Office for National Statistics today make for bleak reading.

A report by recruitment specialist Randstad suggests that British construction needs to increase their workforce by one million by 2021 if we are to meet current house-building targets.

The study follows the recent relaxing of planning laws and ambitious claims by the government to build one million new homes in the next 5 years.

The report calculated that there were just shy of one million people working within the housebuilding trades and professions in Britain today, who are aiming to complete 148,000 new homes this year.

Measures to equip councils with powers to bring thousands of long-term empty homes back into use have been debated this week in Parliament.

The new legislation will allow councils to charge double the rate of Council Tax on homes left empty for years. Local authorities can currently levy a 50% premium.

Whilst the number of homes empty for 6 months or longer remains substantially lower than when records began in 2004, councils will be handed powers to levy additional charges on homes standing empty for 2 years or more.

Green deal

The Green Deal scheme aims to encourage people to install insulation or other home improvement measures to cut their energy usage. The policy originally offered loans for homeowners to fund the work but after low take-up ministers began offering cash grants, which have proved hugely popular.

Proposals to create the first state of the art Dementia Centres of Excellence in Staffordshire reached a major milestone today (Thursday) as plans to develop them were formally agreed.

The multi-million pound flagship centres will be developed by partner Symphony – a consortium made up of the Accord Group, Keepmoat and Quattro Architects, in Lichfield and Burton and promise to transform care and support for residents and their families throughout their condition.