HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health, and Social Care Latest News

News Highlights

HAPPI Hour Webinar - Promoting Diversity in Housing for a Diverse Older Population

Join us for the final HAPPI Hour webinar of our Spring/Summer series, presented in partnership with The Open University and Bangla Housing Association, as we highlight the groundbreaking Vivensa Foundation-funded research: Amar Bari, Amar Jibon (My Home, My Life).

We are also excited to welcome a fantastic group of speakers who will present on a range of other diversity-focused projects.

• Attend Webinar

Congratulations Bridport Cohousing for RIBA National Award

Barefoot Architects are among 20 architectural studios to receive a RIBA National Award for their design of Hazelmead, the Bridport Cohousing project.

This recognition places them in the running for the prestigious Stirling Prize. Explore the recent Housing LIN case study highlighting this sustainable, intergenerational development in Dorset here.

• Read Case Study

Parliamentary group launches inquiry into delivering 1.5 million homes without sacrificing quality

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment has launched an inquiry into how to scale up housing delivery without compromising design quality and construction standards.

It is now gathering written and oral evidence this week for its investigation titled How can we build 1.5 million quality homes in this parliament?

• Read on

Resource Roundup

HAPPI Hour Recording - Housing Adaptations for Better Health

We are pleased to share the recording to last week's HAPPI Hour webinar on housing adaptations, home improvements, and the creation of ‘care-ready’ adaptable homes as healing and caring places.

A big thank you to guest speakers Millie Brown (Centre for Ageing Better), Rory O'Hagan (Arcadis), Nicola Brimblecombe (London School of Economics and Political Science), and Sem Lee (OURI Labs).

• Watch Webinar

Beyond the White Picket Fence: A companion for intergenerational communal housing

Beyond the White Picket Fence, a new report by Churchill Fellow Savannah Fishel, explores 54 communal housing models in Australia and the USA.

Launched in London last week, it highlights intergenerational living’s power to reduce loneliness and build community, offering 10 UK recommendations backed by the Housing LIN, including policy and cultural shifts.

• Read report

‘I just want to be able to dance’

Think Local Act Personal’s new report promotes wellbeing for people with dementia through community development, social innovation, and personalised support.

Based on lived experiences and expert insights, it outlines nine practical actions. The report title, ‘I just want to be able to dance,’ is a simple reminder that people with dementia are still people, with hopes, passions, and rights. 

• Read report

Ombudsman issues guidance on housing adaptations for disabled people

This Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s Good Practice Guide helps councils improve housing adaptations through the Disabled Facilities Grants.

It covers minor to major changes, shares real case studies, and offers key lessons: clear procedures, effective communication, accurate records, meeting assessed needs, and following additional guidance (especially for children) to prevent delays and ensure better outcomes.

• Read Report

Housing allocations for Disabled people

The new Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman guide highlights problems disabled people face in council housing processes and recommends improvements.

Key actions include prompt, accurate assessments, timely and reasoned reviews, evidence-based medical decisions, fair application of housing policies, and better collaboration between housing and social services to identify needs and improve outcomes for disabled applicants.

• Read Guide

ADASS publishes Spring 2025 Survey findings

Last week, ADASS shared its Spring 2025 Survey report, highlighting the rising demand for complex adult social care amid worsening council finances. Investment in early, preventative care, housing support, and technology is declining.

Extra care contracts are being returned, while funding to support NHS reforms is lacking. Experts call for better alignment of housing, health, and care.

• Read Survey

Expert Insights

What makes a good place for healthy ageing? Developing a tool to assess ageing in place.

In this new Housing LIN guest blog, Iain Scott (Edinburgh School of Architecture) and Caroline Pearce (University of Edinburgh) explore the need for an Ageing in Place Standard to help older adults live independently.

With a growing over-75 population, they advocate for a co-produced, inclusive tool by 2026, addressing climate resilience, digital inclusion, and services through research and community workshops.

• Read blog

Every Voice Matters: Championing Diversity and Representativeness in Customer Engagement at Coastline Housing

Laura Benbow’s Housing LIN guest blog highlights Coastline’s innovative approach to social housing through the Coastline Conversation.

Ahead of tomorrow's HAPPI Hour webinar on diversity in housing, read on to find out how a three-tiered engagement model ensures inclusive participation, amplifying underrepresented voices. 

• Read Blog

What else caught our interest...

• Architects Journal: Good Homes for All
• AT article: EXCLUSIVE: Telecare and wearables – What the future of caring for older people looks like
• DemECH survey: Association for Dementia Studies Blog
• Fabian Housing Centre: Breaking Gound: Delivering 1.5m homes in one parliament
• Homes England report: Measuring wellbeing impacts of temporary accommodation and social housing
• Healthy Homes Hub podcast: It’s Not Integrated Care Without Housing
• Journal on Ageing & Society article: Cohousing and the role of intermediaries in later life transitions  
• ICON report: Mapping the Landscape of Place-Based Initiatives in England, 2019-2025
• Local Government Association resources: Digital switchover hub
• NCF news: NCF partners with the University of Liverpool on Adult Social Care Testbed to develop innovative tech products and services to address growing need
• OCSI report: Everybody needs good neighbourhoods 2: Your questions answered
• Quality of Life Foundation: New affordable homes for health and wellbeing: What’s possible?
• Regulator Social Housing report: Focus Report: Understanding the condition of tenants’ homes
• Shelter report: My colour speaks before me: How racism and discrimination affect Black and Black Mixed heritage people’s access to social homes in England
• Tai Pawb guide (in English): The Future of Renting: Supporting Older & Disabled Tenants in the PRS
• UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence blog: Home Heritage

Dates For Your Diary

Join us for our final webinar of the Spring/Summer HAPPI Hour series!

• Promoting Diversity in Housing for a Diverse Older Population 22/07/2025, 4pm - 5pm

Housing LIN Research and Advisory Services

Curious about the various projects the Housing LIN is engaged in? These range from pioneering research partnerships with universities to the development of innovative tools and resources aimed at influencing policy and practice. Learn more here!

Building on our highly-prized learning and improvement ethos, the Housing LIN can also help you and your organisation underpin your progress in a changing and challenging work environment.

Let's Work Together! To find out how we can support your operational and/or strategic plans, contact us at consultancy@housinglin.org.uk or visit our Research and Advisory Services.