LINks - latest Housing LIN bulletin (w/c 26 Jan 2015)

Welcome to LINks, the weekly e-bulletin from the Housing LIN (Learning and Improvement Network) where we put a selection of latest information, resources and events under the spotlight. In this week's issue, we would like to draw your attention to the following:

New Housing LIN case study - Older under-occupying owners, will they ever move?

This case study, Older under-occupying owners, will they ever move? Is the decision to relocate a moving target, more difficult than the move itself? How Can FreeSpace schemes help? considers these decision-making processes.

Email Case Study 102Written by Gail Lincoln a researcher at the University of Westminster, the study examines whether FreeSpace schemes have the scope to facilitate and support older home owners in moving if they so wish, in ways that would enable them to retain their initial home, without the responsibilities attached to owning or letting. Under the scheme, councils arrange for elderly people to move into rented homes or sheltered housing and then take responsibility for maintaining and letting their property at an affordable rate. Find out more at: www.housinglin.org.uk/FreeSpace_CaseStudy

And if you found this case study of interest, you may find the other resources we have on 'downsizing' on the Housing LIN website useful. These can be found at: www.housinglin.org.uk/Downsizing


Housing an ageing population

Genesis Housing Association and The Smith Institute have launched a major new report and survey on whether housing associations are ready for the challenges presented by our ageing population.

The report, Are Housing Associations ready for an Ageing Population? , addresses the future housing needs of older people and the role of housing associations in providing supported accommodation and care. It examines these challenges over the medium term investment horizon to the 2030s. In particular, it explores what the older population will be like at that time, what housing association boards should be thinking about now, and what the sector and government need to do to realise the opportunities and manage the risks associated with older people's housing. The report also considers how the links between housing, health and social care can be improved, and asks if housing providers understand the expectations and aspirations of their tenants as they grow older. Follow the link to view the full report: https://smithinstitutethinktank.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/housing-associations-and-ageing.pdf


Enter the 2015 Housing Design Awards

The 2015 Housing Design Awards, now into their 67th year after being launched with the same Act of Parliament as the NHS, are open for entries, Since 2010 there have been special awards for schemes that are either unbuilt - Projects - or Completed that respond to the criteria proposed by the HAPPI report. Previous winners have included Pilgrim Gardens in Leicester and Heald Farm Court in Newton-le-Willows.

Housing LIN director Jeremy Porteus is one of 16 judges from a range of promoters including HCA, DCLG, DH, RICS and NHBC. Other judges include Kevin McGeough who is responsible for the HCA's VOPAG steering group and David Birkbeck of Design for Homes who worked on the HAPPI report.

The deadline for entries is the 27 February. Entries should be uploaded online under the following link where there is also a detailed archive of previous winners. www.hdawards.org

For more about HAPPI, visit the Housing LIN's dedicated 'Design Hub' at: www.housinglin.org.uk/Design


Fit for Frailty

This new practice guidance from British Geriatrics Society in association with the Royal College of GPs and Age UK, sets out how to enhance the lives of older patients to remain at home for as long as possible.

It provides helpful guidance to GPs, geriatricians, health service managers, social services managers and commissioners of services on developing, commissioning and managing services for people living with frailty in community settings. Download from: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/HousingOlderPeople/HousingandHealth/?parent=977&child=9457


Safeguarding Adults and Housing

A paper by Imogen Parry has been added to the Housing and Safeguarding Adults Alliance web-page. It will be useful in your preparations for the implementation of relevant parts of the Care Act 2014's Statutory Guidance from April 2015.

The paper is aimed at all those involved in the work of Safeguarding Adults Boards (SABs) and senior staff of housing organisations and outlines:

  • The case for housing engagement in adult safeguarding
  • Barriers to housing engagement with Safeguarding Adults Boards (SABs)
  • The benefits of housing representation on SABs
  • Housing related work by SAB Chairs and Members
  • Options for addressing issues of representation by housing on SABs.

More at: Housing engagement with Safeguarding Adults Boards (doc - 61Kb) (opens new window)


Switched on by Telecare?

Published this week, the latest edition of the ever popular Telecare LIN monthly newsletter and supplements can be found at:

http://www.telecarelin.org.uk/TelecareResources/TelecareResourceTypes/TelecareResource/?coid=8151