Extra care housing: A review of the effectiveness of extra care housing for older people

Extra care housing is increasingly prominent as a strategic solution to the issues presented by an ageing population and low demand in traditional sheltered housing and (in some cases) as an alternative to residential care. However, it is proving difficult to assess rigorously its long‐term benefits and cost‐effectiveness compared with other housing and care models ‐ a task which must be undertaken in preparation for the Supporting People regime. This article reviews Anchor's own research on extra care housing and is intended to stimulate a wide‐ranging debate on the methodological difficulties that such an agenda represents.