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

News highlights

Catch Housing LIN CEO Jeremy Porteus in The Monitor series

Marking one year of Labour government, The Monitor from Housing 2025 explores the future of social and affordable housing investment. Across five short episodes, sector leaders reflect on policy, planning, finance, and innovation.

Housing LIN CEO Jeremy Porteus features in episodes 3, 4, and 5, sharing insights on restoring investment confidence, delivering smarter and greener homes, and the sector’s outlook for the year ahead.

• Watch the series

Fire safety in housing architecture and policy | Join our HAPPI Hour webinar

We’re looking forward to the first HAPPI Hour of the new season tomorrow, where we’ll be exploring Safe by Design: Fire Safety in Housing Architecture and Policy. Don’t miss your chance to join the conversation and hear from sector.

As Building Safety legislation evolves, ensuring fire safety in housing design is more critical than ever. This HAPPI Hour webinar brings together experts to discuss the latest research, policy, and practice on fire safety in care homes and specialised housing.

📅 Date: Tuesday, 30th September 2025
🕓 Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (BST)
📍 Platform: Zoom (Online)

• Find out more and register your FREE place here

National Healthy Housing Awards 2025 - Deadline extended!

The deadline has been extended for the National Healthy Housing Awards 2025; entries can now be made up to 5pm, 3 October 2025.

Whether it’s an inspiring project, a brilliant colleague, or a service that’s gone above and beyond, there’s a category that fits.

It’s free to enter and attend the ceremony for those shortlisted, and it's a great way to recognise and thank staff. It can also help with future funding, recruitment, and credibility.

Be sure to nominate and help celebrate the difference that great teams and individuals make in people’s lives.

• Nominate now

Call for evidence from APPG Inquiry into Creating Intergenerational Communities

Earlier this year, the APPG on Housing and Care for Older People launched an Inquiry into ‘Creating Intergenerational Communities,’ co-chaired by Lord Best and Anna Dixon MP. Three sessions have so far gathered insights from practitioners and residents.

Now at its mid-point, the Inquiry is calling for evidence from those involved in or living in intergenerational communities. Submissions should cover design features, benefits, challenges, and lessons learned to inform practical recommendations for policymakers, developers, and housing providers.

Please email your evidence to research@housinglin.org.uk by Friday, 17 October 2025.

• Submit your evidence here

Resource roundup

Affordable Housing Need in Scotland Post-2026

A new report from the Universities of Sheffield, Liverpool, and Sheffield Hallam warns Scotland must build over 15,000 affordable homes a year in the next Parliament, totalling more than 78,000 over five years.

Commissioned by Shelter Scotland and housing partners, the study highlights urgent demand, especially in the east. It warns that Scotland’s ageing population will increase pressure for adapted and accessible homes to support older households and rural communities.

• Read report

New Towns Taskforce Report – A report to government

The independent New Towns Taskforce and the Initial Government response is now out.

It covers a wide range of policy drivers, with a focus on placemaking for the creation of 12 New Towns in England. It also refers to the growing housing needs of older people, including homes built to accessible and adaptable standards, and a call for genuinely mixed communities.

• Read report

Expert Insights

New Housing LIN blog explores tackling affordability and accessibility in housing

We are pleased to share our latest Housing LIN guest blog, exploring innovative approaches to meeting the diverse housing needs of older adults.

Marking 30 years since the Disability Discrimination Act (1995), Guy Harris, Director at AccessiblePR, highlights the latest research, policy developments, and practical examples that demonstrate how communities can create more inclusive, safe, and supportive living environments.

He delves into challenges such as affordability, accessibility, and social isolation while showcasing strategies that integrate technology, design, and person-centered planning.

• Read now

What else caught our interest...

• Age UK report: The State of Health and Care of Older People in England 2025
• Almshouse Association case study: From bequest to build: the journey of Elbourn Memorial Housing Trust
• Architect’s Journal feature: Barefoot Architects’ Dorset scheme wins major housing award
• Centre for Ageing Better feature: Local approaches to tackling unsafe housing – Good Home Hubs
• Channel 4 George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds: Wheelchair user Ben needs an accessible kitchen and garden that works for the whole family
• Chief Medical Officer report: Health trends and variation in England, 2025 A Chief Medical Officer report
• Demos/UCL Policy Lab paper: A Nation of Neighbours: Rebuilding Britain from the Ground up
• Government: Government publishes Pride in Place Strategy
• Habinteg: Charlie Burton's blog: House builders must shift their mindset - accessibility shouldn’t be a bolt-on
• Housing 21: Digital inclusion at Housing 21: empowering residents, one connection at a time
• Local Government Association tool: High Impact Change Model: Improving the timely and effective discharge of people with dementia and delirium into the community
• Office for National Statistics figures: Population estimates for the UK, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland: mid-2024
• Paul Smith, Foundations blog: Is British culture holding back retirement housing?
• Vivensa Foundation: What matters most to patients isn’t always what scientists expect...

Dates for your diary

Autumn/Winter HAPPI Hour webinars

We're back with a new HAPPI Hour webinar series, featuring expert-led sessions on key topics in housing and ageing.

Browse the full programme and register your free place today!

• Safe by Design: Fire safety in housing architecture and policy on 30th September 2025, 4pm - 5pm
• Almshouses Reimagined: Building strategic partnerships to evolve housing for today’s older communities on 7th October 2025, 4pm - 5pm
• Towards Age-Friendly Futures: Local practice and perspectives on 21st October 2025, 4pm - 5pm
• Driving Housing Delivery through Market Engagement on 28th October 2025, 4pm - 5pm
• 10 Years On: Reflecting on the Disability Discrimination Act and the road ahead on 11th November 2025, 3.30pm - 5pm
• Homes Built Together: Exploring Community-Led Housing & Cohousing on 18th November 2025, 4pm - 5pm
• Housing LIN Scotland Presents on 25th November 2025, 4pm - 5pm
• What the Housing Strategy means for supported and specialist housing on 2nd December 2025, 4pm - 5pm
• Becoming a Dementia-Friendly Organisation – Back to Basics on 9th December 2025, 4pm - 5pm
• Designing for Tomorrow: Future-Proof, Age-Friendly Homes on 16th December 2025, 4pm - 5pm

Want to know what we're working on?

From cutting-edge research with universities to creating tools that shape policy and practice, we’re driving innovation in the sector. Find out more!

We also offer tailored support to help you navigate today’s complex challenges, whether strategic or operational.

Let’s work together! Email us at consultancy@housinglin.org.uk or explore our Research and Advisory Services to learn more.