The previous report on “Adaptation of Housing to the Challenge of Demographic Change: A Field for Future Work” put in perspective the different issues which connect population ageing in France and Europe and housing policies. It also presented innovative and reproducible experiences of affordable housing adapted to old age.
After the report was handed over to the French Secretary of State in charge of Housing and Urban Planning in October 2009, over thirty meetings have allowed further debate. The many comments gathered at these occasions fuelled the reflection further.
Benoist APPARU, Secretary of State for Housing and Urban Planning, entrusted me with a second mission aiming at proposing operational frameworks for “ageing well at home”, before situations of dependence arise.
I would like to thank him for his renewed trust.
The twelve propositions listed in the present report build on the challenges described in the first report. They proceed from the interviews held between January and May 2010.
The interviews gave the opportunity to exchange with stakeholders who are not traditionally engaged in this field of competence. Their observations nourished a wide and profitable approach. They outlined the trends that will arise in the short term in relation with the massive ageing of the population.
Three of those observations, which go beyond the framework of this report, are particularly significant:
- The number of situations to be dealt with will be so high that public contribution alone will be insufficient. The contribution from families and private players will be necessary;
- The fact that we are not able to “name” ageing people means that their place is not fully recognized yet. Organizing itself and expressing its expectations may be the action that will lead this new intermediary generation;
- The unbalance in the demographic pyramid and the non-renewal of generations raise the question of how to revitalize demographic dynamism, one of the sources of economic growth, without going against the interests of the older age groups which will be the majority in years to come.
For the diversity of analyses and points of view, I am grateful to all those who, coming from all over the territory, accepted to give their time for these discussions.
It is owing to the relevance of their remarks, to their experience that this report has come into being and that this topic still remains for me so captivating.
A special thanks to Elisabeth Gras who assisted me throughout the works of this mission and also to the members of the Minister’s Cabinet for their attention and time.
