A significant number of older people living in rented accommodation in Scarborough is raising concerns about their financial security and wellbeing.
Scarborough has one of the highest percentages of older households renting in the country.
While the majority of over 50s own their house outright, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of over 50s private renting. In the 2011 census, tenure for 3% of over 50s was listed as privately rented or via a letting agency – in Scarborough in 2021 this was as high as
10.6%. All other areas of North Yorkshire have seen an increase in older people renting property.
Scarborough has been highlighted in a recent report by Independent Age as being in the top 20 areas with the highest proportion of older renters and has seen one of the biggest increases in the country. Of the top 20, these areas were more likely to be deprived, and 12 were coastal. The
report points to growing inequalities between those who own their house outright and have a high income compared to those on a low income and renting privately.
The issues have been identified as needing to be explored further in the annual report from North Yorkshire's Director of Public Health.
Dr Victoria Turner, a Public Health Consultant at North Yorkshire Council, says it's a worrying trend with individuals renting in later life, which can put a strain on their limited pension income.
Data indicates a notable rise in the proportion of individuals aged over 65 residing in rented accommodation rather than owning their homes in the Scarborough area. While the exact reasons behind this increase require further investigation, it is thought that many individuals may have been in rented accommodation throughout their lives and were never able to purchase property.
Dr Turner says the implications of this trend are significant, particularly concerning the financial stability of older residents.
This housing situation is intertwined with broader concerns about the health and wellbeing of older people in Scarborough and the wider Yorkshire Coast. The North Yorkshire Director of Public Health has previously highlighted growing health inequalities affecting older people in coastal communities, with a significant number of older individuals aged 65 and over living within the most deprived 20 per cent of neighbourhoods in England, predominantly in the former Scarborough Borough area.
Furthermore, Scarborough has a high number of wards where older people experience poverty. The Director of Public Health’s annual report also addressed housing issues, explicitly highlighting Scarborough's high proportion of older renters.
The report suggests that the increasing number of older renters in Scarborough requires further examination to understand the driving factors and the impact on residents.
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