Park homes – A solution to the UK’s housing crisis?

The UK housing crisis is well documented and with not enough houses being built, and increases in life expectancy (over 18% of the UK population is currently over the age of 65), the problem continues to grow. A possible solution to help alleviate this crisis is residential homes, which provide affordable bungalow style accommodation typically located in over 50’s communities.

According to a report by Legal & General on last time buyers and freeing up housing stock, 3.3 million homeowners aged over 55 are looking to downsize in the future and many of these have family homes with spare bedrooms. By downsizing, these homeowners would help to free up much needed housing for growing families, however, many are put off through a lack of age appropriate, single-storey, affordable housing such as bungalows.

As bungalows are in particularly short supply due to the amount of land they consume, and with just 3% of new-build housing designed for the older generation, park homes could hold the key, providing a single storey cost effective and aspirational alternative for empty nesters looking to downsize.

With new parks being developed across the UK, park home living is already growing in popularity with the retired, but the lifestyle is still a relatively new concept.

Park Home Living

Park living offers many benefits. Residential park homes built to BS3632 provide single-storey, low maintenance and energy efficient accommodation. Alongside an extensive choice of design styles, new park homes can also be specified; ideal for those with accessible living requirements.

With parks throughout the UK, it’s not only the homes that provide choice. Many parks offer beautiful rural settings, are close to local amenities and provide a secure gated environment for peace of mind. Park home living also has the social benefits of living amongst neighbours of a similar age and circumstances, and as park homes generally cost less than bricks and mortar properties of a comparable size, there can be financial benefits too.

Justin Allitt, owner of Sell My Group, commented: “These homes offer huge potential to help ease the housing crisis; they also have the potential to help councils and other housing providers reduce their waiting lists. Residential parks create real communities, are secure, and modern park homes built to BS3632 also generally benefit from low running costs, offering further potential savings to housing providers and those considering buying.”

Omar Group

Mandy Challis, Retail Sales Manager for Omar Park & Leisure Homes commented: “I would love any over 50’s thinking about downsizing to have a look at our stunning range of park homes. With beautiful interior and exterior design, the homes can be tailored to your own taste and requirements. In addition, with a fantastic choice of residential parks throughout the UK, which offer a great sense of community spirit, the lifestyle choice really does make sense.”

Richard Sigsworth, Special Projects Director at Omar Park Development Services, commented: “We are supporting new park home developments with an expert panel of industry specialists to deliver cost-effective, affordable housing solutions. Planning, infrastructure, design and procurement aspects of new developments are part of the service and we are looking forward to working with local authorities and housing associations to offer low cost, age appropriate, sustainable developments.”