Housing LIN Celebrates Loneliness Awareness Week 2026
Loneliness Awareness Week, led by Marmalade Trust, shines a light on the impact of loneliness and the importance of meaningful connections.
For many older people and those with support needs, housing plays a vital role in helping people stay connected, maintain independence and remain part of their communities. As the demand for accessible, inclusive and supportive housing continues to grow, tackling loneliness must remain central to how we design, commission and deliver homes and neighbourhoods that enable people to thrive.
We are pleased to highlight a selection of resources, research and discussions that demonstrate how housing, community design and intergenerational connections can help reduce loneliness and support people to live well as they age.
SHAPE Exchange: Designing homes and communities that reduce isolation and build connection
This SHAPE Exchange HAPPI Hour webinar explored how housing solutions can tackle loneliness, as part of Loneliness Awareness Week 2026. With social isolation a growing concern, this session examines how inclusive, care-ready homes and age-friendly communities can help older people stay connected and supported.
The SHAPE (Suitable Housing for an Ageing Population Evidence) Exchange, funded by the Vivensa Foundation, builds on HAPPI and TAPPI to promote home design, adaptations and technology that reduce isolation and support independent living. Through its core themes, SHAPE provides evidence, tools, and innovation to strengthen sector leadership across housing, health and social care, directly addressing the role of housing in preventing loneliness.
Watch webinar recording + download slides
Loneliness of being stuck in an inaccessible home
This article by Age Irrelevance explores how inaccessible housing contributes to loneliness, particularly for older and disabled people. It highlights shortages of accessible homes, the social impact of poor design, and calls for better property search tools to help people find homes that support independence and community connection.
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New survey to mark Loneliness Awareness Week reveals how more intergenerational living could help tackle Britain's loneliness and housing crises
A new survey has highlighted how stronger connections between generations could help tackle two of Britain’s growing challenges – loneliness and housing. Conducted by loneliness charity Re-engage in partnership with the Age Action Alliance and homeshare provider The Care Share Solution, the research suggests that spending time with people of different ages can help people feel more connected, supported and valued.
Findings indicate that intergenerational relationships can play an important role in improving wellbeing, while initiatives such as homesharing could help make better use of spare rooms in older people’s homes. The survey points to practical, cross-generational solutions that could benefit communities across the UK.