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

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

3 November 2025

Welcome to this week’s edition of HLINks, your go-to newsletter from the Housing LIN, bringing together the latest news, insights, and resources shaping housing, health, and care for older and disabled people. 

This week, we look forward to our in-person Housing LIN Cymru Symposium – Making Wales a Great Place to Grow Old, where members of our Steering Group and other invited experts will showcase innovative services, schemes, and projects promoting age-friendly communities across Wales. We look forward to sharing an update from this inspiring event in next week’s newsletter.

Also featured in this week’s edition:

  • Hanover joins as a sponsor of Housing LIN Scotland – Strengthening collaboration and innovation in housing and care north of the border.

  • New Housing LIN Case Study – From social housing to holistic homes: Horley Independent Living, Surrey.

  • Expert blogs – Simon Montgomery on Surrey’s “Right Homes, Right Support” programme and Mark Slater on designing new towns for an ageing population.

  • Webinar recording – Driving Housing Delivery through Market Engagement is now available to watch.

  • Dates for your November diary – Upcoming HAPPI Hour sessions this month exploring the Disability Discrimination Act, community-led housing, and Scotland's housing for an ageing population.

And other key reports, surveys, and policy updates from across the UK that caught our interest, including the NHF's Supported Housing Survey, new Renters’ Rights Act and the Welsh Government’s £55m boost for new homes.

Thank you for joining us each week and being part of our learning community.

HLINsquare_Logo The Housing LIN Team

News Highlights

We are pleased to welcome Hanover as a sponsor of Housing LIN Scotland

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Last week, we were thrilled to announce Hanover as our new sponsor of Housing LIN Scotland, marking an exciting step forward in our joint commitment to advance innovative housing and care solutions for older people across Scotland. 

Hear directly from Hanover's Chief Executive, Angela Currie, at our upcoming HAPPI Hour webinar, Housing LIN Scotland presents… on Tuesday, 25 November 2025 (4pm-5pm). Registrations are now open.

Resource Roundup

From social housing to holistic homes – Horley Independent Living, Surrey

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A new Housing LIN Case Study by Barbara Clarenz of AtkinsRéalis spotlights Horley Independent Living in Surrey, part of the county’s Supported Independent Living Programme.

With 16 adaptable homes, the scheme redefines social housing through inclusive, sustainable design that supports adults with learning disabilities and autism to live independently and thrive in their community.

NHF publishes results of supported housing and older persons' housing development annual survey

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The findings from the National Housing Federation's annual survey on the development of supported and older person’s housing paints a complex picture, showing supported housing providers want to develop more homes but are threatened by the risk of service closure and decommissioning. 

Click the link below to find out what they found. 

Webinar recording now available! Driving Housing Delivery through Market Engagement

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With housing for older people anticipated to be included in this autumn’s government Housing Strategy, last week's HAPPI Hour webinar explored how effective market engagement can accelerate housing delivery and shape developments that truly meet community needs.

A big thank you to Louise Drew (HCR Law) for chairing and to Simon Montgomery (Surrey County Council) and Barbara Clarenz (AtkinsRéalis) for their invaluable insights. 

Expert Insights

Right Homes, Right Support: Surrey County Council’s approach to delivering specialist housing for adults with care and support needs

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A new Housing LIN guest blog by Simon Montgomery, Senior Programme Manager – Right Homes, Right Support at Surrey County Council, spotlights the Council’s ambitious programme to expand specialist accommodation for residents with care and support needs.

Designing New Towns for an Ageing Population

Mark Slater

Hear from Mark Slater, Managing Director at WWA, in this new Housing LIN guest blog, exploring how new towns can move beyond isolated specialist housing, using inclusive urban design, masterplanning, and mixed-use hubs to integrate housing, care, public spaces, and local amenities.

What else caught our interest...

Dates For Your Diary

Autumn/Winter HAPPI Hour webinars

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We’re now five sessions into our exciting HAPPI Hour webinar series, and there’s so much more to come! Join expert-led discussions on key topics in housing and ageing. Don’t miss your chance to be part of it!

Browse the full programme and register your free place today:

Want to know what we're working on?

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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.