**1. Introduction**

A key highlight of the UK 2021 Census [1] was the inexorable ageing of our national population: the "baby boom" that followed the Second World War, combined with increasing longevity, mean that almost one in five of us is now aged 65 and over. In some parts, such as Norfolk, it is one in three. Those figures are set to grow still further in the years ahead.

The implications – economically, socially and politically – are huge. And one of the biggest of these is where (and how) we house our ever-ageing population, many of whom will have restricted mobility or specific care or support needs.
