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