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

News Highlights

We are pleased to welcome HCR Law as a sponsor of Housing LIN

Housing LIN is delighted to announce HCR Law as our latest partner and a headline sponsor of our Summits early next year.

As a specialist law firm supporting social housing, older, and vulnerable clients, this exciting partnership builds on a shared vision to drive forward more progressive housing and care solutions for an ageing population.

• Read more

Call for HAPPI-Inspired Housing Submissions for HAPPI Awareness Week

We invite submissions of HAPPI-inspired developments for HAPPI Awareness Week (commencing 15th December).

Share how your schemes enhance housing choices for older people, showcase design principles, or highlight resident impact.

Please submit brief descriptions (up to 60 words) with name, location, and high-res image to info@housinglin.org.uk by Wednesday, 10 December.

• Submit your scheme

University of Kent study on the benefits and costs of homecare – Local providers invited to participate

The University of Kent, with Ipsos and other partners, including Housing LIN, is inviting homecare agencies and housing with care schemes across several English regions to join a new research study, DomCare: The Benefits and Costs of Domiciliary Care.

The study explores how homecare supports wellbeing, independence, and quality of life, using data from care recipients and registered locations to inform policy and guidance.

• Find out more and have your say

New documentary explores how housing shapes health and wellbeing – Premiere in Bath

A new documentary produced by Faye Sanders, Doctoral Researcher in Housing and Health at the University of Bath, and her team premiered last week, exploring the relationship between housing and health through conversations with people with lived experience, community members, and experts in policy, research, and frontline services.

• Watch the documentary

Resource Roundup

Age-friendly Town and Parish Guide

This new guide, prepared by Arup and Housing LIN in collaboration with and on behalf of the Centre for Ageing Better, demonstrates the important role of town and parish councils in creating age-friendly communities and gives examples from local councils who are already leading the way.

The guide for towns and parishes is aimed at anyone working in town and parish councils, as well as those who are working with them.

• Read report

Marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and celebrating 30 years of the Disability Discrimination Act

Last week, we marked International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrating contributions and reaffirming our commitment to their rights and inclusion.

Housing LIN commemorated the day with a series of guest blogs and a HAPPI Hour webinar reflecting on the DDA’s legacy, achievements, and ongoing housing and care challenges. We were joined by Emma Palmer, Cabinet Office Disability & Housing Ambassador and Chief Executive of Eastlight Community Homes, along with other contributors sharing insights on the past three decades and the work still to be done.

• Read the blogs + watch the webinar recording

HAPPI Hour Webinar Recording - What the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act means for supported and specialist housing

Last week, we hosted two HAPPI Hour webinars. The first, with record attendance, explored the UK Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act, covering local authorities’ new duties, a case study, and legal insights.

Chaired by Housing LIN's Lois Beech and Jeremy Porteus, thanks to Richard Loftman (MHCLG), Adam Duerden (Rochdale Borough Council), and Louise Crook (HCR Law) for their insightful contributions.

• Watch recording + download slides

HAPPI Hour Webinar Recording - Using data and AI to transform future housing and care at home

Next, in partnership with Everon Group and Howz, we explored how smarter data and AI can transform UK housing in the lead-up to the 2027 digital switchover and the increasing tech demands in care.

The session also introduced a new whitepaper and an industry-first AI and behavioural analytics product aimed at strengthening digital care for vulnerable populations, which you can read here. 

Chaired by Jeremy Porteus (Housing LIN) and Pete Kerly (Everon), thanks to Kate Fairhurst (Howz), Julia Glenn (AI by Design), and David Hall (HCR Law) for their expert contributions.

• Watch recording + download slides

A lifeline not a luxury: Delivering accessible homes for people with MND

A new Motor Neurone Disease Association report shows that Disabled Facilities Grant delivery is a postcode lottery, impacted by unacceptably long wait times, unfair and inconsistent means testing, and variable approaches to the application of the means test and grant levels. 

• Read report

A Roadmap for Independent Living: Reimagining Housing, Health, and Ageing in Scotland

A new report, launched by Bield Housing and developed in partnership with Socialudo, sets out a 20-year vision for how Scotland can better enable people to live well, safely and independently at home.

The report captures the insights from a collaborative Hopetown Game event, which brought together Bield staff and key stakeholders from across housing, health, and social care.

• Read report

What else caught our interest...

• Almshouse Association case study: Case Study: Frederick John Cleminson for Almshouses
• BBC news item: Japan is facing a dementia crisis – can technology help?
• BME national news item: ‘Amar Bari, Amar Jibon’ – Developing Suitable Living Environments for Bangladeshi Elders
• Centre for Ageing Better infographics: State of Ageing 2025: Infographics
• DEMOS: Beyond Bricks: New towns and the citizenship opportunity
• Department for Health and Social Care: Digital revolution in care saves millions of admin hours
• Everon UK whitepaper: Independent Living, Intelligent Insight: The Role of Evercare in the Next Generation of TECS
• Habinteg feature: The social model of disability
• Healthy Homes and Buildings APPG letter: The Economy Case for Healthy Homes and Buildings
• Invisible Creations: QVC Product Launch
• National Audit Office report: Primary and community healthcare support for people living with frailty
• Shelter Cymru report: Homes For All: A collective manifesto to end the housing emergency for everyone in Wales
• TSA statement: Virgin Media O2 Fine and the Importance of Safe Digital Migration

Dates for your diary

Autumn/Winter HAPPI Hour webinars

We’re almost at the end of our Autumn/Winter HAPPI Hour webinar series, and what a series it has been! But don’t worry, we still have two fantastic webinars in store for you, including our final one to coincide with this year’s HAPPI Awareness Week. We are honoured that Lord Best and Stephen Witherford - from this year’s Stirling Prize-winning architect’s practice for United Saint Saviour’s Charity’s almshouse, Appleby Blue - will also be joining us. Sign up to watch 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:

• Exploring designs for new dementia-friendly housing and services to adapt our existing homes on 9th December 2025, 4pm - 5pm
• Designing for Tomorrow: Future-Proof, Age-Friendly Homes on 16th December 2025, 4pm - 5pm, to coincide with HAPPI Awareness Week 2025. 

Want to know what we're working on at Housing LIN?

From cutting-edge research with universities to creating tools that shape organisational 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! Please email us at consultancy@housinglin.org.uk or explore our award-winning Research and Advisory Services to learn more.