‘My home, my life’: hearing the voices of older Bangladeshi residents

The research focused on Bangladeshi elders (also known as Bangla probins) aged 50 and over living across the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Hackney and Redbridge. Through 76 in-depth interviews, the team explored issues that rarely appear in official data, including functional overcrowding, accessibility barriers, home adaptations and the realities of multigenerational households.

“By centring probins’ voices, the study shows not only that inequalities exist, but how they accumulate over a lifetime and shape well-being in later years”

Functional overcrowding is a particularly important concept. A home may meet formal space standards yet still fail to meet the practical needs of those living there – grandparents giving up bedrooms to grandchildren, or several adults sharing a single bathroom. These are the everyday compromises that housing systems too often overlook.

Older Bangladeshi adults have historically been underrepresented in both housing research and research into ageing communities. By centring probins’ voices, the study shows not only that inequalities exist, but how they accumulate over a lifetime and shape well-being in later years.

The findings were launched at the House of Lords on 5 February, in a session hosted by Lord Best, who urged policymakers to act on its recommendations. His message was clear: this evidence should inform real change.

One of the strongest messages from the research is that housing systems often fail to recognise diverse ways of living and diverse cultural, faith and intergenerational needs. When homes do not reflect how people actually live, the consequences extend far beyond inconvenience, affecting physical health, mental well-being, privacy and dignity.

“If we truly want housing systems that support well-being and resilience, we must start by listening to those whose voices have been missing for too long”

Listening to older residents is therefore not simply a consultation exercise; it is the foundation of better policy. Recognising functional overcrowding, investing in home adaptations and designing services that reflect community realities can help ensure people age well in the homes and neighbourhoods they value.

This project is ultimately a call to action for policymakers, housing providers and communities alike. If we truly want housing systems that support well-being and resilience, we must start by listening to those whose voices have been missing for too long.

Housing is never just about bricks and mortar. It is about home, identity, health, relationships, fairness and recognising the contributions that communities have made and continue to make to the UK.

Bashir Uddin, chief executive, Bangla Housing Association