HLINks: Keep up-to-date with sector news, including on COVID-19, new Housing LIN blog and much more
This week saw the first of the APPG on Housing and Care for Older People’s latest Inquiry sessions on the housing for those living with dementia.
Chaired by Lord Best, and supported by Anchor Hanover, the Housing LIN is delighted to provide the Secretariat for this new Inquiry.
Drawing on our extensive experience and expertise in supporting sector research, policy formation and practice development, along with our extensive online knowledge hub, we look forward to raising sector awareness and supporting organisations become dementia-friendly.
New Housing LIN Products
Building Relationship Capital: A must to unlock opportunities under lockdown
In this new Housing LIN Blog, Emma Lindley, Housing Strategy Lead at Ashfield District Council, sets out her thoughts on what business life might be like post-lockdown and the importance of ‘relationship capital’ built up before the lockdown.
Coronavirus Update
A selection of latest government advice guidelines and plans that are relevant for our sector include:
Other relevant COVID-19 news include:
And remember, check out on our Coronavirus Info Hub for a range of Housing LIN practice briefings for the sector and links to other useful information and websites.
Also, post or reply to questions on our discussion forum. It allows you to share information, raise issues and ask questions to solve a tricky issue.
For example, following a zoom meeting with the Social Care Minister on Thursday, she is particularly interested to know of any Covid-19 ‘hot spots’ in retirement living and extra care housing in England. Please advise so we can get back to her.
Specific advice guidelines in Scotland and Wales can be found in the relevant sections further down.
Housing, Community, Disability, and Ageing
- Too Little, Too Late? Housing for An Ageing Population
This report commissioned by ARCO advocates a holistic policy agenda including a national plan and a key role for local authorities and health and care services. It proposes greater collaboration – between local authorities and within them and recommends closer attention to policies that incentivise downsizing and ways to make moving easier for older people. - Book launch - "The Age of Ageing Better? A manifesto for our future" by Anna Dixon, Chief Executive of the Centre for Ageing Better
Advanced copies are now available for pre-order and Housing LIN members have the chance to get the book at a discounted rate. The code AGE30 will give you a 30% discount until publication on 11th June.
Please also note that to celebrate the launch of the book, Anna Dixon will be holding a webinar to discuss the book with Matthew Taylor, the Chief Executive of the Royal Society for Arts, Manufacturing and Commerce.
Opinion pieces and blogs:
- Positive News article - Co-housing: sharing the future
- Centre for Ageing Better Blog - The effects of financial security and housing tenure on enjoying later life
- Knight Frank Insight - The investment case for UK senior housing
Dementia
On Wednesday, Lord Best kicked off the new APPG on Housing and Care for Older People’s inquiry on Housing for those living with Dementia, welcoming Parliamentarians, expert panellists & witnesses to the first session, hosted by the Housing LIN.
Wendy Mitchell, one of the witnesses, has subsequently shared a blog about her personal story and experience of dementia and the day-to-day adjustments she makes:
- Housing needs for those living with Dementia”…..
- Updated Alzheimer’s Society and Housing 21 Dementia-Friendly Housing Guide
Opinion pieces and blogs:
- Distancing with Dementia - Activities to try in care homes and at home
Homelessness
- Centre for Homelessness Impact - Housing Costs Calculator
This the newly developed Housing Costs Calculator aims to help city leaders plan for the transition from emergency homelessness accommodation.
Health and care
- Public Health England - Disparities in the risk and outcomes of COVID-19 Review
- Experiences of end-of-life care during the COVID-19 crisis
Opinion pieces and blogs:
- The Observer article - Calls to lift lockdown in UK care homes over fears for residents' mental health
- SCIE - Making bricks with straw. Integrating social care and health
- Social Care Future Blog - Strengthening People Sparking Community Shifting Power
Design and Technology
- APPGAT says National Strategy for Disabled People needs to recognise the potential of assistive tech
- Have your say: Assessment of the Part M Building Regulations for its Suitability for Persons with Dementia Survey
- The Transformational Potential of Telecare: White Paper Summary and Evidence Report
- RCOT - Practical advice on conserving your energy for people during and after having COVID-19
Opinion pieces and blogs:
- Work in Mind - Remote working: Impact on our mental health revealed
- Centre for Ageing Better - How the digital divide affects older adults’ use of technology during COVID-19
- Centre for Ageing Better - Can COVID-19 encourage some positive changes in how we think about products within our homes?
Planning tracker
Older People’s Care Development – Local Development Plan Monitoring
In association with Tetlow King Planning, this document monitors current local authority planning consultations that may be of interest for those seeking to develop housing for older people. The tracker is updated fortnightly.
Wales
Welsh government guidance on COVID-19 can be found at: https://gov.wales/coronavirus
Scotland
Scottish government guidance on COVID-19 can be found at https://www.gov.scot/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance/
Latest government advice guidelines that are relevant for our sector:
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): development planning - Chief Planner letter May 2020
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): planning procedures - Chief Planner letter May 2020
Other news include:
- Scottish Dementia Awareness Week
- Age Scotland: National Housing Survey Report
- Scot Inform - Age Scotland National Housing Survey Report
Findings from this survey show that fewer than half of people over the age of 55 in Scotland think their home will be suitable in later life
Areas of Research Interest for COVID-19 and its impact for individuals aged 50-70
The Centre for Ageing Better is keen to hear from researchers, research institutions and research funders interested in working with them on COVID19 and the impact on 50-70 year olds.
Forthcoming Events
Reset, Recover, Regenerate conference – 24 June
Supported by MHCLG, and hosted by Foundations, we are delighted to be a key partner in this national online event that will bring health, housing and care sector leaders to share insights and practice on enabling better homes and services for all.
Housing LIN Regional events
In light of the coronavirus outbreak we have cancelled all our upcoming regional meetings and training courses until further notice. We are currently exploring how to hold these events online, so watch this space!
And other forthcoming events supported by the Housing LIN include:
Next week
We look forward to publishing two new blogs on cohousing: the first by Allan Shepherd, Community Housing Officer for Mid- and North Wales, on developing senior cohousing in Powys, Wales, and the second by Maria Breton of UK Cohousing on the ‘New Ground’ Cohousing Community in High Barnet, London.
The Housing LIN would like to thank Willmott Dixon for their support in producing this newsletter.
Stay well, stay connected and be safe!