HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health, and Social Care Latest News
HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health, and Social Care Latest News
6 October 2025
Welcome back to this week’s HLINks!
As the leaves turn and we step further into autumn, this week’s edition celebrates connection, collaboration and community following the International Day of Older Persons 2025. Join us as we reflect on the global theme “Building Belonging: Celebrating the power of our social connections,” with highlights from the HCR Law roundtable exploring the evolving strategy for older persons’ housing in England.
Looking ahead, don’t miss tomorrow's HAPPI Hour webinar, “Almshouses Reimagined” chaired by Winckworth Sherwood Law, where we will uncover how these historic institutions are being reshaped for today’s older communities through creative partnerships and innovation.
We are also spotlighting the APPG Inquiry into Intergenerational Communities, which is now calling for evidence. Plus, we feature a new Housing LIN case study on Dovehouse Court, a new almshouses development in Cambridgeshire, insights from the University of Stirling-led ISPA Project’s third-year highlights, and the latest research on housing support delivery in Scotland.
Read on for news highlights, updates from across the sector, and opportunities to get involved.
Thank you for joining us each week and being part of our community.
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The Housing LIN Team |
Sector News and Announcements
HAPPI Hour webinar - Almshouses Reimagined: Building strategic partnerships to evolve housing for today's older communities
Hot on the heels of International Day of Older Persons, this HAPPI Hour webinar explores how almshouses are evolving as community investors to meet the needs of today’s older communities by building strong local strategic relationships and partnerships, creating new, innovative housing solutions.
We'll be joined by Winckworth Sherwood, United St Saviour’s Charity and The Almshouse Association. We also look forward to releasing a new Housing LIN Case Study and Viewpoint by United St Saviour’s Charity later today.
📅 Date: Tuesday, 7th October 2025
🕓 Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (BST)
📍 Platform: Zoom (Online)
Celebrating International Day of Older Persons 2025
Last week, we joined the global community in observing the United Nations' International Day of Older Persons (IDOP), themed: “Building Belonging: Celebrating the power of our social connections”.
To coincide with IDOP, Jeremy Porteus, CEO of Housing LIN, attended an exclusive Cheltenham event hosted by HCR Law to explore the evolving strategy and future of older persons’ housing in England.
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 by Friday, 17 October 2025 to research@housinglin.org.uk.
Resource Roundup
Dovehouse Court – Modern Almshouses for Independent Living in Girton, Cambridgeshire
We are pleased to share this new Housing LIN Case Study (No. 178), written by Ian Bramwell, Director of Mole Architects, which highlights Dovehouse Court in Girton, Cambridgeshire, completed in 2023.
The development offers 15 contemporary one-bedroom homes for over-55s, supports independent living, prioritises sustainability, and has received multiple design and innovation awards.
Safe by Design: Fire safety in housing architecture and policy
With new responsibilities under Building Safety legislation, last week's HAPPI Hour explored the latest research, policy and practice on fire safety in care homes and specialised housing.
Thanks to all who joined our first webinar of the Autumn/Winter series, and to Professor Vikki McCall (University of Stirling), Naomi Crawford (PRP), and Ruth Sheret (HCR Law) for sharing their expertise on fire safety, design, and law.
Intersectional Stigma of Place-Based Ageing (ISPA) project marks three years with new highlights and voices
The ISPA Project is celebrating three years of research, collaboration, and community impact. Year 3 saw major reports launched, international partnerships strengthened, and the Inclusive Living Alliance conference hosted.
A new roundup newsletter shares these highlights alongside blogs from ISPA’s Community Peer Researchers and Early Career Network. Topics range from the accessibility of public toilets in Perth, to the importance of lived experience in volunteering, to reflections from an international writing retreat.
The Neighbours of Intergenerational Housing: The Institutional Construction of Elevated Neighbour Relations in Student-Senior Housing Projects
This free University of Bristol article analyses European and North American student-senior intergenerational housing, proposing a novel framework on neighbouring dynamics, reviewing successful projects, identifying housing types, and highlighting design factors shaping co-living, support, and mentoring.
Delivery and Funding of Housing Support in Scotland - Assessing Costs and Benefits of Typical Services
This report from the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence highlights the crucial role of housing support in Scotland, showing that these services deliver exceptional value for money and life-changing benefits for individuals receiving housing support in different settings.
What else caught our interest...
- Financial Times: Where is all the housing for older people?
- Habinteg blog: Teresa Snaith: Why we need to be building inclusive, not exclusive developments
- Knight Frank post: The shift to seniors BTR: Unlocking the next phase of housing growth
- The University of Manchester: Research shows cities must do more to support older residents
- Royal College of Occupational Therapists: Co-created housing design for inclusive living
- TCPA blog: Creating healthy places requires breaking down traditional silos between sectors
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. Hundreds have already signed up! Don’t miss out!
Browse the full programme and register your free place today:
- 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
- 30 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
Events supported by the Housing LIN
- The NIHR Policy Research Programme: Webinar on upcoming research call to evaluate the Disabled Facilities Grant programme on Tuesday, 7 October (1400-1500).
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Let’s work together! Email us at consultancy@housinglin.org.uk or explore our Research and Advisory Services to learn more.