Housing, Ageing and Racial Inequality
Published on 1 October, 2025.
This report, commissioned by the Centre for Ageing Better and delivered by the Race Equality Foundation (the Foundation), explores the specific housing needs and barriers experienced by Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic individuals aged 65 and over in England. It assesses how the Good Home Hub model, Ageing Better’s localised, onestop shop for home improvement services can be made more equitable, anti-racist, and culturally responsive. The report, grounded in extensive literature review, qualitative interviews, and group discussions, finds that systemic racism, historical housing inequality, and cultural disconnection is at the heart of poorer access to home adaptation services for older people from minoritised communities. Despite growing awareness of the need for home improvements, many older adults from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic backgrounds delay necessary changes due to mistrust, financial constraints, poor service design, and the absence of services that are intentionally inclusive, anti-racist and meaningfully reflect and respond to the needs of all communities.