Norwich Profile

Population

The total population (2008) of Norwich is 137,300 (ons), of which 14.27% are over 65 and the same proportion – 14.27% - aged between 50 and 64. Over the next 10 years the projected percentage of older people (over 65) against the total population is expected to decrease to 13.98%, the lowest proportion of older people of any district in the county.

Norwich has the smallest geographical area of districts in the county, but in terms of population is only marginally smaller than King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, the largest district in the county. It is the 4th most densely populated district in the Eastern region

Transport networks around the city are good with excellent services into the heart of the city.

Housing

65% of the housing stock is in owner occupation with 35% in the private or public rented sector. This is a lower figure than the rest of the County. Norwich City Council is the largest single provider of public sector stock in the district, including sheltered housing, but there are a variety of registered providers and charities providing both general needs and supported housing in the City.

Norwich has a large transient population including students from the University and College of Art who increase the levels of private rented homes in the City.

Within the total housing stock of some 53,000 homes it is estimated that there are 15,506 homes occupied solely by older people, many of which are owner occupiers. Whilst the data relating directly to the condition of older people’s homes is not available, it is estimated that 30% of all housing stock fails to reach the decent homes standard, 9.8% are living with serious household hazards that could cause falls or injury and 15.7% households are classified as in fuel poverty.

In 2008 there were 8,141 applicants on the housing waiting list, of which 515 were aged between 60 and 74; 158 were aged between 75 and 79, and 251 were over 80.

45% of the applicants were asking for sheltered housing and were mostly in low or medium priority bands. This is second only to Broadland in the number of sheltered applicants and may reflect a higher level of rented accommodation in the City as compared to owner occupation.

It is unclear what number of those applicants awaiting sheltered housing would be willing remain in their own homes with support and advice. The demand for this level of supported living cannot currently be met by the public sector housing stock.

Social Care

Adult Social Services have contact with 11,272 clients aged over 65 in Norwich.

Whilst significant proportion of this support is provided through Social Services, it is estimated that there are over 2086 people over the age of 65 currently providing unpaid care services to their family and friends and that this is set to rise in line with the population to nearly 2704 aged carers by 2030.

Clients are accessing a range of services, but the majority are accessing equipment and professional services. Equipment is provided through OT services and Disabled Facilities Grant funding, which in Norwich for 2009/10 totalled £490,000.

Health

Levels of deprivation in Norwich are significantly worse than the averages for England with 5 wards in the most deprived fifth wards nationally. This means that the life expectancy for men in the most deprived wards is 7 years lower and 3.4 years lower for women.

Obesity in adults is higher than the average for England but in general life expectancy for men, early death rates from heart disease, stroke and cancer, and hip fractures in over 65 year olds as a result of falls are the same as averages for England.

Projections for people with dementia, health limitations through strokes and limiting long term illness all show increases in the projections to 2030, growing in line with increases in the older person’s population.

Community Health Services are being provided through 4 clusters of GP practices across the City: North: Gurney, Lawson Road, Magdelen, Prospect, Oak St and Woodcock Road. East: Thorpewood, Willowood, Sprowston, Thorpe, Old Catton and Yare Valley. West: Bowthorpe, West Earlham, Longwater, UEA, Wensum and Costessey. Central: Bacon Rd, West Pottergate, Adelaide St, Newmarket Road, Old Palace Street, Lakenham, Trinity Street, St Stephens Gate, Mile End Road and Tuckswood. Norwich also has hospitals and a range of other health services which serve the wider county.

Income and Benefits

In 2008 21,075 people over 60 were claiming state retirement pension. Of the total, 37.5% were in receipt of pension tax credits, which is higher than the county average. Only 2.71% recorded as being ‘affluent greys’ by ACORN segmentation, significantly lower than any other district, suggesting that many older people in Norwich have little disposable income.

Claimants of Attendance Allowance in older persons households in 2008 stood at 3815 of which, 1730 were at the lower rate and 2088 at the higher rate, indicating high levels of personal care requirements.

Sheltered, Residential, Nursing Home and Housing with Care

Norwich has 1,537 Supporting People funded units of sheltered housing on 52 schemes belonging to 11 different providers and 67 units of housing with care, provided by Norfolk County Council.

The number of units per 1000 of the population aged 65+ are relatively higher than the average for the county. There is a substantial difference in the provision relative to numbers of people aged 65+ when compared with figures for the county as a whole.

The sheltered stock is distributed well around the City and within the vicinity of the GP Community Health Hubs.

There is a projected surplus of 493 long stay care home places, against projected deficits of 244 housing with care places, 86 short stay care places, 67 care home places with nursing and 458 dementia care homes places with/ without nursing. Residential care beds are at average county levels.

There is insufficient dementia provision and not all existing provision meets current standards.

Current Supporting People Funding

Total possible spending by Supporting People for supported housing in Norwich is as follows:

Sheltered Housing - £976,158 allocated between 1537 units
Housing with Care - £66,196 allocated between 67 units

In addition there is approx £100,000 of potential alarm funding for the City, which is higher than the average for the County.

Housing Support Priorities for Norwich

Norwich is unique as the only district in the county with a declining percentage of older people within its increasing population. It faces some of the highest demands for sheltered accommodation in the county and has a lower proportion of home owners generally and some of the least affluent older people in Norfolk.

Supporting older people in maintaining their independence at home will help to alleviate the demand for sheltered homes population of older people. It is unlikely given the low income levels that many have the resource to purchase services themselves and will need assistance to access benefits and funding.

The density of housing stock and distribution of sheltered schemes across the City, all within reach of a community health hub, means integrated outreach support would be easy to deliver. Short distances and good transport would also allow in-reach at schemes with better facilities. Outreach could extend from Norwich schemes into all surrounding suburbs if there was a shortfall of possible hubs in other districts.

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