Our future need

Cumberland faces demographic challenges driven by an expanding and ageing population with the older population (65 years and above) expected to grow much faster (increasing by c.32% by 2044 relative to 2021) whereas the working-age population shows a decline (c.3% lower in 2044 relative to 2024) as shown:

• 0 to 19 years old - fall by 1%
• 20 to 39 years old - fall by 5.2%
• 40 to 54 years old - fall by 5.4%
• 55 to 64 years old - fall by 21.4%
• 65 to 74 years old - increase by 13.1%
• 75 to 84 years old - increase by 30.8%
• 85 years and above - increase by 58.4%

Estimates of need for supported, specialist and accessible homes using qualitative evidence from a range of stakeholders has been used to inform this strategy are produced for the next 15 years to 2039.

Estimate of supported housing need to 2039:

• 13,896 accessible homes and 908 wheelchair adapted homes
• 6,600 units of housing for older people
• 174 units for people with learning disabilities and autistic people
• 118 units for people with mental health needs
• 70 units of accommodation for care experienced young people, and 36 units of general needs move-on
• 250 units of emergency temporary accommodation needed to meet increasing homelessness demands
• up to 94 units of specialist supported housing linked to homelessness are required to ensure there are positive pathways and move-on from temporary accommodation