It is difficult to retire with house equity. Housing is just one element of what you need to have in retirement and after a certain point, and especially in retirement, once the house is what you plan to stay in forever it is better if it is worth less (all other social factors aside) so that you don't pay as much in taxes on it.
The point is usually to sell a big house in a desirable location, buy a modest house in a less posh an tax-lighter location, and invest the difference to have a steady stream of income.
You usually only need one house to have in retirement, just like you likely won't need a whole /22 in retirement.