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A New Generation: Developing LGBT+ inclusive approaches to supported living

Housing for older LGBT+ people is a new and emerging area of provision in care contexts. Current generations of older LGBT+ people (defined as aged 55+) are some of the first who have been proudly ‘out’ for much of their lives, and have, due to advancements in HIV/AIDS treatments, been able to live full and healthy lives, where previous generations were not.

As this is a newer area of provision it is important for those designing services to remain cognisant of the fact that, like younger LGBT+ people accessing housing support services, older LGBT+ people accessing extra care, supported housing or even care homes will have specific needs. This may be due to physical health considerations (with LGBT+ health inequalities making them more likely candidates for social care), or because older LGBT+ people are more likely than their cis-heterosexual counterparts to suffer from isolation and loneliness. Indeed, one survey found that nearly 50 per cent of LGBT+ people living in social housing do not feel a sense of belonging in their local community, with over 25 per cent feeling lonely in the area in which they live[1]. In the same survey, one respondent commented “I need to be a part of a community that accepts my sexuality and any health needs as I get older”, a sentiment shared by many, with only 22 per cent saying they would be comfortable living in retirement housing without LGBT+ specific considerations[2].

The importance of developing proper housing support for older LGBT+ people is clear. Historically, service providers have defaulted to a one-size-fits-all approach and as such, older LGBT+ people have been left with the single option of “general housing with its heteronormative culture and with people who may have prejudiced views. For many it is scary and leads to further isolation, with people going back into the closet where partners are mis-identified as friends”[3]. The development of LGBT+ inclusive, affirmative, or even exclusive housing for older people is therefore proving to be popular, with research finding that 89 per cent of LGBT+ respondents felt there should be more supportive housing options for LGBT+ people[4].

One project undertaken by academics from the Universities of Bristol, Hertfordshire, Manchester and Strathclyde produced a useful assessment and development tool for care homes to support their LGBT+ residents; to give staff confidence in supporting LGBT+ residents and to give residents confidence in the staff[5]. Taking a co-productive approach, with participative leadership from the LGBT+ community, the project saw improvements in awareness and prejudicial attitudes from managers and staff during and after the intervention. The tool provides an important guide to some of the key areas care homes need to consider regarding LGBT+ inclusion. These areas include, but are not limited to: policies and procedures, environment, consultation, risk management, issues specific to gender (trans support and care), cultural safety, and end of life planning and bereavement[6].

One of the key findings (which evidence indicates to also be applicable to the homelessness services accessed by LGBT+ youth discussed previously), is that well-meaning service providers often equate equality with treating service users ‘all the same’. This, however, often compounds inequality, as it leaves specific needs unaddressed. Indeed, while equality of outcome for service users should be the goal, “older LGBT+ individuals differ between and among themselves and will require differentiated provision to meet care needs.[7]” As such, equality of treatment and equality of outcome must not be confused and training for managers and frontline staff around the specific needs of LGBT+ people is of the utmost importance.

Case Study: Extra Care Manchester

Following years of discussion with the LGBT Foundation and representatives from the LGBT+ community, the first purpose-built extra care scheme for LGBT+ people was announced in 2017 by Manchester City Council and in 2021 Anchor Hanover was chosen as the partner to deliver the scheme[8]. Delivering over 100 apartments for those aged 55 or over, the project will provide the opportunity for residents to live with independence as their lifestyle and accompanying needs change, but to provide care where appropriate. A co-produced venture, the specific offer in terms of care, facilities and amenities will be developed by a steering group bringing together councillors, residents and members of Manchester’s LGBT+ community.

There are over 7,000 people in Manchester over 50 who identify as LGBT+, and this figure is expected to rise over the next two decades[9]. As detailed above, greater levels of isolation and loneliness among the older LGBT+ community, as well as the experience of discrimination in existing accommodation create an important case for accessible LGBT+ specific accommodation. In such spaces, older LGBT+ people can be open about their identity in later life and share in this with a wider community with whom they can identify. The development will have a combination of affordable rent and shared ownership tenures, which is particularly important given that 74 per cent of LGBT+ surveyed in the development of the project did not know how they would pay for care in the future[10].

While LGBT+ specific housing will be appealing to some older LGBT+ people, this will not be the case for all. Indeed, others may prefer intergenerational schemes, women-only schemes, or indeed integrated housing schemes with a clear understanding of LGBT+ needs. However, it is important to note that developing housing schemes with LGBT+ people specifically in mind provides an illustrative example of the importance of planning and place to building appropriate housing for the LGBT+ community. With in-house facilities developed in consultation with service users, an intentional focus on connecting members of the older LGBT+ community and a location with good transport links to the rest of Manchester, the extra care facility provides a good example of how a concerted focus on planning and place can be incredibly valuable in supporting the needs of residents. While the development is not yet complete, it is hoped that these facilities and the connectivity provided will be important in combatting the isolation that older LGBT+ may experience.

Final Thought

While this is a new and emerging policy consideration for local authorities to consider, it is one that must be paid careful attention. Where there is a significant evidence base around the specific needs of LGBT+ people and others with protected characteristics, this will be an important consideration for local authorities under their Public Sector Equality Duty. Ensuring that older LGBT+ people are able to live in their later years with dignity and a sense of belonging to their community will require carefully developed projects that acknowledge the specific needs of older LGBT+ people.


[1] LGBT Foundation, 2020. Housing, Ageing, and Care: What Manchester LGBT residents want from the UK’s first purpose built LGBT Extra Care scheme. [online] Available at: <https://lgbt.foundation/news/housing-ageing-and-care-what-manchester-lgbt-residents-want-from-the-uks-first-purpose-built-lgbt-extra-care-scheme/391> [Accessed 20 January 2022]

[2] LGBT Foundation, 2020. Housing, Ageing, and Care: What Manchester LGBT residents want from the UK’s first purpose built LGBT Extra Care scheme. [online] Available at: <https://lgbt.foundation/news/housing-ageing-and-care-what-manchester-lgbt-residents-want-from-the-uks-first-purpose-built-lgbt-extra-care-scheme/391> [Accessed 20 January 2022]

[3]  LGBT Foundation, 2021. Manchester LGBT Extra Care Scheme – Learning Journal. [online] Available at: <https://lgbt.foundation/extracareschemereferenceguide> [Accessed 22 January 2022]

[4] LGBT Foundation, 2020. Housing, Ageing, and Care: What Manchester LGBT residents want from the UK’s first purpose built LGBT Extra Care scheme. [online] Available at: <https://lgbt.foundation/news/housing-ageing-and-care-what-manchester-lgbt-residents-want-from-the-uks-first-purpose-built-lgbt-extra-care-scheme/391> [Accessed 20 January 2022]

[5] Hafford-Letchfield, T., Willis, P., Almack, K., Simpson, P. 2016 Developing an LGBT&I inclusive environment for older people living in care homes: Community Advisors’ Assessment and Development Tool. Middlesex University, London in Association with Comic Relief

[6] Hafford-Letchfield, T., Willis, P., Almack, K., Simpson, P. 2016. Developing an LGBT&I inclusive environment for older people living in care homes: Community Advisors’ Assessment and Development Tool. Middlesex University, London in Association with Comic Relief.

[7] Hafford-Letchfield, T., Willis, P., Almack, K., Simpson, P. 2017. Developing inclusive care homes for older people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT). [online] PolicyBristol. Available at: <https://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/policybristol/briefings-and-reports-pdfs/2017-briefings–reports-pdfs/PolicyBristol_Briefing_November_2017_Inclusive_Care_Homes.pdf> [Accessed 22 January 2022]

[8] Manchester City Council, 2021. UK’s first purpose-built LGBT+ Extra Care housing facility in Manchester moves forward | Manchester City Council. [online] Secure.manchester.gov.uk. Available at: <https://secure.manchester.gov.uk/news/article/8733/uk_s_first_purpose-built_lgbt_extra_care_housing_facility_in_manchester_moves_forward> [Accessed 22 January 2022]

[9] Manchester City Council, 2021. UK’s first purpose-built LGBT+ Extra Care housing facility in Manchester moves forward | Manchester City Council. [online] Secure.manchester.gov.uk. Available at: <https://secure.manchester.gov.uk/news/article/8733/uk_s_first_purpose-built_lgbt_extra_care_housing_facility_in_manchester_moves_forward> [Accessed 22 January 2022]

[10] LGBT Foundation, 2020. Housing, Ageing, and Care: What Manchester LGBT residents want from the UK’s first purpose built LGBT Extra Care scheme. [online] Available at: <https://lgbt.foundation/news/housing-ageing-and-care-what-manchester-lgbt-residents-want-from-the-uks-first-purpose-built-lgbt-extra-care-scheme/391> [Accessed 20 January 2022]

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