Bungalows Back in Demand as Builders Urged to Expand Single-Storey Homes
Survey shows 38% of homeowners aged 55-plus would prefer a bungalow; last year bungalows accounted for 1% of new registrations, far below 1990 levels.
A shift in the UK housing market is reviving interest in single-story homes, with bungalows attracting buyers across a broader age range and prompting fresh calls for builders to increase supply. New data from the HomeOwners Alliance indicate that bungalows are being snapped up by buyers younger than their traditional audience, highlighting a potential mismatch between demand and the supply of single-storey homes. Official statistics show that bungalows accounted for just 1% of new home registrations last year, down from around 11% in 1990, underscoring what observers describe as a chronic shortage of this housing type.
In a survey conducted by Opinium for the HomeOwners Alliance, 2,000 people across the United Kingdom were asked about their housing preferences. The results show that one in seven homeowners aged 55-plus who wanted to move cited the lack of suitable homes as a disincentive to relocate. At the same time, 38% of homeowners in that age bracket indicated a preference for a bungalow as their next home. The figures lay bare a tension between demand for single-storey living and the supply that exists in today’s market, pointing to a growing concern among policymakers and developers about the affordability and availability of appropriate housing for aging populations.
Paula Higgins, chief executive of the HomeOwners Alliance, said the findings reflect a broader frustration among older homeowners. "Our research shows that too many older homeowners feel stuck in homes that no longer work for them." The sense of being trapped is compounded by the historical decline in bungalow supply, she said, noting that a lack of suitable options can deter relocation even when homeowners have built up equity in their current properties.
A spokesman for McCarthy Stone, a developer and operator of retirement communities, said there was a "critical shortage" of bungalows and urged the market to respond more rapidly. "Prioritising the construction of bungalows isn't just about meeting demand; it's about enabling older people to live independently, stay connected to communities, and freeing up larger family homes for younger generations." The company’s comments reflect a broader industry concern that the market has not kept pace with demographic shifts that increase the need for single-storey housing options.
Industry observers say the gap between the desire for single-story homes and the actual supply is contributing to broader market frictions. While older homeowners often have greater equity and are less burdened by moving costs than younger buyers, other barriers remain. The Opinium survey suggested that, for many in the 55-plus cohort, the stress of moving and the desire to remain near friends and neighbours can be as significant as financial considerations. Still, the equity held by older homeowners can soften some cost barriers, shifting the focus to accessibility, community ties, and the physical practicality of aging in place.
The HomeOwners Alliance emphasized that the issue is not simply about chasing trends but about enabling a broader portion of the population to access housing that suits their needs at different life stages. With rising demand for bungalow-style living among younger buyers, industry voices argue that a proactive expansion of single-storey homes could help alleviate pressure on the wider housing market by freeing up larger, multi-storey properties for families and first-time buyers alike.
The data come as policymakers, lenders, and developers weigh strategies to address housing shortages that have persisted for years. Advocates say increasing the supply of bungalows could also support independent living for older residents, reduce the need for costly adaptations later on, and help communities retain social ties that can erode when moves are delayed or deferred due to a lack of suitable options.
In summary, the new research paints a picture of a bungalow shortage that is increasingly at odds with evolving housing preferences. The convergence of aging demographics, shifting consumer tastes, and a constrained supply of single-storey homes is likely to keep this issue at the forefront of debates about how to modernize the housing market to meet the needs of a broader range of buyers. Builders and policymakers alike face pressure to reassess priorities and accelerate the development of single-storey housing to match contemporary demand.