What makes a home a place where people feel good, even as they age? And how can the construction sector, care sector, and policy build housing environments together that strengthen the well-being of a diverse group of older people? What blind spots exist in our thinking about ageing and housing? And how can we address them in the future?
On March 31, 2026, HOUSE presents the results from 4 years of research into housing well-being and ageing, answering these questions. During this afternoon, we share the key insights, recommendations, and new tools developed by the research for policy, practice, and science. We also launch the HOUSE questionnaire, which anyone can fill out to gain more insight into their own housing situation and preferences, today and for the future.
In addition to the research team, various experts also share their perspectives on the future of ageing in place, such as Véronique Claessens (Flemish Government Architect) and Magda De Meyer (Chair of the Flemish Council for Older People). A complete overview of the involved experts can be found here.
This final symposium is aimed at policymakers, researchers, care professionals, construction actors, designers, and older people, because ageing well cannot be solved within a single sector.
Real answers require cross-sector thinking and acting. This final symposium therefore brings together different sectors that can work together on housing and ageing happily. For everyone who wants to be inspired, think along, and build along on future-oriented housing for older people.
Explore the outputs and practical applications of HOUSE.
Interactive discussion with the following experts:
Advisor Care Policy Housing Care at Zorgnet-Icuro
Lien Van Riet is advisor care policy housing care at Zorgnet-Icuro, the umbrella organization of care and welfare facilities in Flanders. In this role, she follows developments within the residential care sector and works on care-related themes in residential care and cooperation between care settings. From her policy role, she contributes to analyzing and interpreting structural challenges in the organization of residential care in Flanders. In the panel discussion, she brings the perspective of residential care practice, focusing on how organization, cooperation, and continuity of care influence the housing and well-being of older people.
Flemish Government Architect
Véronique Claessens is the seventh Flemish Government Architect. She is passionate about cities, architecture, culture, and the people who make the city. For over fifteen years, she was actively involved in the spatial policy and urban development of her hometown Genk. In addition, she is a fellow at the Faculty of Architecture and Arts at UHasselt. She brings her extensive practical experience to her current role as Flemish Government Architect, where she formulates spatial answers to the societal challenges of today and tomorrow together. In the HOUSE panel, she reflects on housing and ageing from that overarching vision.
Chair Flemish Council for Older People
Magda De Meyer is chair of the Flemish Council for Older People. She is committed to a warmer and more solidary society and wants to break persistent stereotypes about ageing. From her extensive experience in advocacy and cross-sector cooperation, including as former chair of the Women's Council, she explicitly brings the perspective of older people to the table. Her attention focuses, among other things, on accessible services, affordability, and housing quality, with a view to living comfortably and dignified at home. In the HOUSE panel, she explains the vision of the Flemish Council for Older People on how housing, policy, and participation can strengthen the well-being of older people together.
Elderly Care and Policy, VVSG
Sam Vanhuynegem is a staff member for elderly care and policy at the Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities (VVSG). He works on a broad and diverse policy for older people, with attention to, among other things, participation, life-course-proof housing, mobility, and the design of public space. From the VVSG, he strengthens local governments in their key role to shape housing and ageing at the local level. In addition, he is a lecturer in the banaba Psychosocial Gerontology at Odisee, where he focuses on older people participation. In the HOUSE panel, he brings a policy and practice-oriented perspective, with special attention to the role of local governments in housing and ageing.
Partner osar architects
Cecilia Aernaudts is an architect and has been a partner at osar architects since 2016. In her work, she starts strongly from the user and daily life, with special attention to care, housing, and collective spaces. She emphasizes the importance of listening as part of the design process. Within the HOUSE research, osar architects was one of the three architectural firms that actively participated in the research by design on designing for the housing well-being of (future) older people. From her human-centered design practice, she brings the perspective of architects to the table in the HOUSE panel, and reflects on how architecture can contribute to meaningful housing environments and the well-being of residents, also at a later age.
