Belfast·LDP Plan Strategy 2035 (adopted 2023)·Page 66·7.1.4
Specialist Housing Types
Planning must address specialist housing needs including accommodation for older people, those with impaired physical or mental health, students, shared housing, and travellers. An ageing population and rising life expectancy increase demand for such housing.
An appropriate housing mix not only refers to type, size and tenure, but also to a number of specialist housing types that need to be planned for. Specialist housing provides for people with specific housing needs, particularly in relation to impaired physical and mental health and old age. The need for specialist housing is likely to increase in Belfast as there is an ageing population and relatively high levels of poor health. Life expectancy continues to rise and the number of people of aged 65 or over is projected to increase by around 60% by 2035. Specialist housing also includes shared housing and student accommodation, as well as specific accommodation for travellers.
Source — /Users/richardhill/Documents/planning-arch-project/data/documents/belfast/LDP Plan Strategy 2035 (adopted 2023).pdf