If adopted in Victoria, the Universal Housing Alliance Policy Platform would encourage homeowners to adapt their homes to suit an ageing population.

The policy would encourage homes to have wide doorways and corridors, reinforced walls in the bathroom, shower and toilet and slip-resistant flooring.

Building houses to `universal' design standards would ensure everyone, regardless of age, would be able to live in them.

Universal design would also enable people to move house or visit friends and family, regardless of their age or ability.

The policy calls on the State Government to ensure at least one quarter of all dwellings in Victoria are universal housing designed by 2031.

By then, according to government projections, a quarter of Victorians will older than 65 years.

For the last four years Latrobe City has been actively advocating for universal housing regulations.

Public consultations and focus groups were held with community organisations who strongly supported the regulations, according to council.

In 2007 the Latrobe City Older Persons Strategy 2007-2021 was released. It called for council to ``encourage innovation in design for older persons accommodation''.

Latrobe City chief executive officer, Paul Buckley believes the policy should become a state regulation as Victoria's population is ageing.

``Our Older Persons Strategy talks about the need for housing that is available and suitable for the ageing population,'' Mr Buckley said.

``It is important to note it is not just a local issue, but Victorian and Australia-wide and it is important to have the policy and that is why we are asking council to advocate it.

``We don't have a (Latrobe City) target as it will be a policy platform that new housing across the state should cater for our ageing population.''

Mr Buckley believes the increased costs of building a universal home would be minimal if the policy was adopted statewide but fears if only one municipality brought it on board, there could be significant changes.

``The dangers are if we don't have a consistent approach across the state, the cost of housing in the municipality that adopts the policy may be impacted more than any other,'' he said.

``It is an increase and we recognise that and the theory is people in the long term may pay more but we don't want that imposed on one municipality.

``While cost increases will be minimal, particularly for those building a new house, there will be some increase (for those retro-fitting their existing homes).''

According to a council officer's report, it is estimated the cost of incorporating universal design features into a new home would be between zero and two per cent of the construction costs.

Incorporating universal design into the construction of a new home can cost up to 20 or 30 times less than retro-fitting.