Housing LIN works with councils on homes for ageing population

As we kick off the new year, we are delighted to announce that the Housing LIN has secured a Local Government Association (LGA) contract to work with local authorities blazing a trail in meeting the housing needs of our ageing population.

Picking out the essential learning from a selection of pioneering authorities, the resulting case study report will provide practical recommendations for councils and their voluntary, private and NHS partners. It will also draw on the work of the LGA's Housing Commission (opens new window) which reported in December 2016. It urged central and local government to build a new national focus on creating "homes and neighbourhoods integrated with health and care services" to promote healthy ageing and independence.

Housing LIN director Jeremy Porteus said:

"We are excited to be working with the LGA and with councils who are pioneering innovative responses to the demand for age-appropriate housing and communities in their area. We want to work closely with those councils to present other local authorities with a clear route-map to emulate them and to highlight the advantages and challenges involved."

Among the options and solutions the Housing LIN expects to explore with councils are modifying existing housing, building new housing, and including housing in the wider integration of health and social care services within communities.

Mr Porteus said:

"By working with the LGA and local authorities, we hope to ensure that councils and their partners can deliver a steady supply of high quality homes that meet the wide-ranging needs and aspirations of all older people."

In the light of the above, we are keen to hear from you and receive examples of good practice that illustrate how councils have:

• brought together planning, health and social care partners to develop an integrated strategy for delivering housing that supports healthy ageing and reduces demand for social care and health services
• ensured funding is available for aids and adaptations or new technology that allow older people to stay in their homes for longer
• planned and delivered housing that supports integrated health and social care services, activities and facilities
• invested in building the range of new homes that different groups of older people want and need
• used the planning system and land in a way that encourages the private sector to build specialist housing for more vulnerable older people and the 'lifetime' or 'HAPPI' homes that encourage 'younger old' people to move while they are relatively fit and healthy
• built age-friendly neighbourhood principles into planning policies.

To contribute, please email info@housinglin.org.uk with a brief summary of your example(s) by Friday, 27 January 2017 - we will get back in touch to discuss these with you. We look forward to hearing from you.