The Gateshead Housing Standard for Ageing Well

For our homes to support us to age well, we need to able to afford to live in them and maintain them in later life. This section addresses the relative affluence and deprivation levels among older residents in Gateshead, emphasising the need for a diverse tenure mix to cater to varying financial circumstances. With a focus on providing affordable options, including low-cost home ownership and reduced service charges for specialist housing, the goal is to ensure that all of us have access to high-quality housing that meets our evolving needs as we age. 

87% of survey respondents said that it was very important that their home is affordable to them.

Relative affluence and deprivation 

The Income Deprivation Affecting Older People Index (IDAOPI) score is a measurement of people aged 60+ living in relative poverty, a higher score for a local authority implies a higher level of relative poverty.  

Gateshead's IDAOPI score is 19.4% and it is ranked 6th most deprived out of north east region local authorities. In comparison to the English average deprivation (IDAOPI) amongst older people, Gateshead is relatively more deprived compared with the English average level of deprivation of 14.2%. 

"Affordable housing that is of good standard and able to be adapted as required." - Gateshead resident 

Tenure mix and options 

In Gateshead approximately 68% of households headed by a person aged 65+ in Gateshead are homeowners, this is significantly below the equivalent English home ownership rate of approximately 78%.

Tenure breakdown of over 65 households in Gateshead compared to England households

Source: ONS 2021 census

To reflect the tenure mix requirements and relative deprivation levels of the older population, we want to ensure that homes across Gateshead are provided in a range of tenures that are affordable to local people whilst providing high quality housing. 

The 'middle market' 

Whilst 68% of people aged 65+ in Gateshead are homeowners, the property values are relatively low compared to the England average. According to Rightmove (opens new window) properties in Gateshead had an overall average price of £162,541 over the last year (2023) with semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £178,948, terraced properties sold for an average of £161,801, and flats for an average of £112,696. 

We want to see an increase in low-cost home ownership options available for older people in Gateshead that supports people to 'rightsize' into either conventional or specialist housing that better meets their needs as they age. New housing developments, of both conventional and specialist housing, require a mix of tenure options including social and affordable rent (although it is recognised that grant rates for developing social housing at social rents are challenging), low-cost home ownership (such as shared ownership models) and market sale to meet the mix of housing requirements amongst older people. 

Case study: Clavering Court, Gateshead (opens new window)
A sheltered scheme in Ravensworth, Gateshead, Clavering Court offers 47 one and two-bed apartments available to over 55s who might need support to live independently in their own home. It is part of the Dunston Rocket regeneration site, which includes a health centre, supermarket, transport links and family homes. Apartments are offered for rent or shared ownership which provides affordable home ownership options. All properties are open plan, with level access to bathroom facilities, with some having their own balcony. Properties have a care line alarm and 24 hours a day, 7 days a week emergency response service and support staff from Thirteen Housing Group are on site during office hours. Communal facilities include gardens, a kitchen, a garden room with balcony access and each floor has a communal lounge for get-togethers. The development includes ample parking as well as a buggy bay. 

Application to specialist housing 

Gateshead's Specialist and Supported Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance states that the Council requires the provision of 15% affordable homes on all developments of 15 or more dwellings, subject to development viability.

"We need more affordable housing, sheltered housing can be so expensive." - Gateshead resident 

The guidance also states that affordable housing will be sought as part of Class C3, and where appropriate Class C2, housing schemes where they meet the policy threshold for the requirement of affordable homes, including sheltered housing and extra care housing schemes.

To ensure that specialist housing is affordable, we want to see the service charges levied minimised, so they are affordable for as many older people as possible. In some cases, this is about rethinking the amount of communal space provided to help keep service charges low; the qualitative research indicates that many older people aren't seeking extensive communal space, particularly where amenities and facilities are provided in the local area. 

See the APPG on Housing and Care for Older People report Housing and Care for Older People report Making Retirement Living Affordable: the role of shared ownership (opens new window) for more details. 

Case study: The Fells, Kells Lane, Gateshead
The Fells is a retirement housing scheme provided by Anchor Hanover. It responds to the need for affordable home ownership options by providing 19 two-bedroom purpose-built properties for shared ownership for people over the age of 60. The development is situated in Low Fell, Gateshead, close to Newcastle upon Tyne and has good transport links to the city centre, the A1, Newcastle Airport and the wider region of Northumberland and Durham. The local shops are within 10 minutes' walk and include a supermarket, a post office, banks, library, bakery, hairdressers and cafes. There are doctors' surgeries and a chiropodist within walking distance. The estate manager visits twice weekly to offer help, advice and co-ordinate any services provided.