THERE are almost 700,000 older people living in sheltered retirement housing today, but sadly, this vital community service may no longer be available as an option for the growing numbers of older people in the United Kingdom.

Why? Because local councils do not realise how valuable an asset they have in sheltered housing.

We all know that "prevention is better than cure"; and sheltered housing provides safety, security and a new social life for the hundreds of thousands of older people. All of this and their own front door and help when they need it, gives peace of mind which ultimately makes for better health.

So why are some councils who are responsible for distributing the funding for sheltered housing, cutting back on it?

I believe it is because they do not understand the benefits it brings and only think older people want to stay in their own homes - when a sheltered retirement apartment is someones own home with added support to help them to stay there for longer.

I am responsible for co-ordinating The 20/20 Project, a national collaboration which has the support of nine housing and care organisations and charities who believe that the time is right for a clear vision for service provision for current and future generations of older people, who want to remain independent; whether in their existing home, a new home or in a more communal setting.

Why 2020? Well this is when the number of older people is forecast to peak. The demand for sheltered housing is also likely to increase because by 2020, as the old and very old will make up nearly 30 per cent of the population.

Service commissioners do not seem to realise that people happily choose to live in sheltered housing, which saves money for community and health services. The 20/20 Project wants to see a more coherent approach to older peoples housing and care services, one which truly offers choice and independence for the hundreds of thousands older people everywhere.

Michele Hollywood

The 20/20 Project