There are 24 050 households in Southampton where the household reference person is of pension age. The majority of these are owner occupiers. Over 6000 are rented from the council. Although seniors generally much prefer to own their own home, they recognise both advantages and disadvantages of this status. These most commonly surround independence, finance and identity.
Seniors are twice as likely as younger residents to be in fuel poverty. The highest proportion of seniors who live on their own without central heating live in owner occupied accommodation. This is most common in the wards of Peartree, Bevois, Freemantle and Millbrook. The highest proportion of seniors who live in private rented accommodation live in Portswood and Bitterne Park. In Southampton, non decent dwellings are associated with heads of household aged under 25, or aged 60 and over. Over half of private houses where the head of household is 85 years or over are non decent. Seniors' housing needs and aspirations are explored in Eastleigh Southern Parishes Older Person's Forum's research, Bleak Housing. The report also makes recommendations for better dealing with the issues raised. The physical quality of senior's housing is the most important factor in their satisfaction with their home. Safety and security are also a high priority. Dwellings that would otherwise be highly satisfactory are unpopular when the security is threatened- this applies particularly to ground floor properties.
