Roundtables - The Rights of Older Persons Roundtable…

What does it take to ensure housing systems support dignity and independence across the life course?

The right to adequate housing is a core component of an adequate standard of living. Key elements include security of tenure, availability of services, affordability, habitability, accessibility, location, and cultural adequacy. All of these are critical to the rights of older persons, who, despite being the fastest growing age group worldwide, frequently face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and exclusion.
Compounding inequalities based on gender, disability, race, and socio-economic status impact housing security, leading to older persons increasingly experiencing homelessness. Additionally, much of existing housing is unsuitable for the needs of older persons, especially those with reduced mobility and disabilities, leaving the commitment of governments to enable older persons to remain in their homes increasingly unrealized.
Ensuring adequate housing in older age requires action across the life course. Policies need to prevent cumulative disadvantages earlier in life and strengthen links between housing, social protection, pensions, and urban planning so that future generations can age in place with dignity. Meaningfully engaging older people in designing and deciding on their housing solutions helps address both environmental risks and the inequities that limit access to environments that foster the abilities of older people, so that everyone can age with health and dignity.
This two-hour session will explore how cities can co-create inclusive housing strategies with older persons, embed ageing perspectives into urban development, and ensure that housing systems support autonomy, safety, health and belonging across the life course. The session seeks to shed light on impact solutions for adequate housing for all older persons, identifying recommendations for local and national authorities, urban professionals, as well as civil society.
Like all WUF13 stakeholder-led sessions, this roundtable is developed through a participatory process driven by older persons and those working towards the protection and realization of their rights, seeking to ensure representation and diversity.

Guiding questions

1. What barriers do older persons face in accessing housing, and participating in related decision-making, and what needs to be changed?
2. What mechanisms ensure coordination between health, housing and social protection systems for older populations?
3. How do urban planning and zoning regulations promote inclusive environments for older populations?
4. What innovations in housing design are emerging to support ageing in place and community integration?

Expected outcomes

1. Recommendations and best practices: for urban policymakers, professionals and advocates for adequate housing.
2. Contribution to the Baku Call to Action: to ensure that it adequately addresses the rights of older persons in urban settings.
3. Community of practice: on the rights of older persons in cities, supporting continued exchange beyond WUF13.

1. Practical impact solutions for adequate housing for all older persons: discussions will highlight practical solutions grounded in lessons learnt, with clear methodologies and tools that can be locally adapted and applied at the local, regional and national levels.
2. Expanded disaggregated data and knowledge base: the session will help participants strengthen age-responsive housing approaches within national urban agendas, climate resilience strategies and related frameworks.
3. Networking opportunities: participants, including those joining online or in-person, will have the opportunity to connect with leading experts on the right to adequate housing for older persons.