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Discover the new SHAPE Exchange website and programme

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We’re delighted to launch the SHAPE Exchange, a 5-year programme designed to drive better, more age-friendly homes and places across the UK.

Led by Housing LIN and funded by the Vivensa Foundation, the SHAPE Exchange brings together housing, health, social care partners and older people to create real, lasting change.

SHAPE (Suitable Housing for our Ageing Population Evidence) Exchange responds directly to what older people tell us they want. New national research by IPSOS and Housing LIN shows most people aged 50+ wish to stay in their own homes with the right support, while others seek better mainstream housing options.

But current supply and design standards do not consistently meet these needs. Poor housing already costs the NHS more than £1.4bn per year in first-year treatment costs, according to BRE research. SHAPE Exchange aims to shift the system by aligning with national priorities, including the Older People’s Housing Taskforce.

What the SHAPE Exchange Will Deliver

SHAPE Exchange, as introduced by Katy Saunders, CEO of Vivensa Foundation at the Housing LIN Conference in Newcastle last week, is built around four pillars:

  • Resources & Evidence: A refreshed suite of practical tools and guidance.

  • Leadership Development: Regional leadership support aligned with Housing LIN’s existing programmes.

  • SHAPE Exchange Labs: Real-world innovation testbeds co-designed with local partners.

  • Advisory & Governance: Expert oversight ensuring credibility and impact.

Together, these will accelerate local delivery, inspire innovation, and support healthier, more independent later lives.

Meet the SHAPE Exchange Advisory Group

The SHAPE Exchange Advisory Group brings together senior leaders from housing, health and social care. It provides strategic direction, expert input and champions knowledge sharing. Members meet regularly to review progress, guide priorities and support the assessment of SHAPE Exchange Lab applications.

Further information and how to get involved

Our website provides deeper insights into the evidence behind SHAPE Exchange, national policy context, programme resources and upcoming opportunities to participate.

Whether you're a practitioner, policymaker, community organisation or researcher, there are many ways to get involved.