HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health, and Social Care Latest News
HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health, and Social Care Latest News
26 January 2026
Welcome to this week’s edition of HLINks.
As the national network linking housing, health and social care, we’re bringing together the latest learning, policy developments and practical insight to support better homes and communities for an ageing population. In this edition, you’ll find:
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An update from the Housing LIN South West Leadership Set, as it holds its first meeting of 2026 and looks ahead to our Bristol conference on 12 March 2026.
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A new consultation on Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance, with a focus on accessible, well-connected and intergenerational neighbourhood
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With this week marking one year remaining until the digital switchover, this timely Housing LIN guest blog by Everon explores the future of digital care, exploring the health technology trends set to shape 2026
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Dates for your diary – last remaining places for Housing LIN’s FREE Annual Conferences in Newcastle and Bristol
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HAPPI Hour webinar recordings, with all previous sessions now available to watch, and plans underway for the Spring/Summer 2026 series
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An upcoming online workshop on age-friendly bus stops for local councils, delivered with the Centre for Ageing Better and ARUP
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And a wide-ranging round-up of what else caught our interest, from retrofit as a health intervention to investment trends, policy updates and later life care
Whether you’re staying informed, planning ahead or catching up on missed content, there’s plenty to explore.
Thank you for being part of our shared learning journey and for continuing to shape the conversation with us.
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Best wishes, The Housing LIN Team |
News Highlights
Housing LIN South West Leadership Set holds first meeting of the year
The long-established Housing LIN South West Leadership Set met online last week for its first meeting of 2026.
Supported by St Monica Trust, we were joined for the first time by senior figures from Places for People and Bristol City Council.
The Group now looks forward to the Housing LIN's annual conference in Bristol on 12 March.
Resource Roundup
Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance: consultation document
The government has published an updated draft build design guidance. With an emphasis on well-designed neighbourhoods, it wants to see that new developments are well-connected to local shops and services.
There is also reference to designing accessible homes for older and disabled people, as well as thinking intergenerationally.
Expert Insights
The future of digital care: The trends we're likely to see in health technology in 2026
Over the last 12 months, the UK health and care technology landscape has experienced rapid transformation, driven in part by the replacement of analogue telecare systems with fully digital solutions.
In this piece, Peter Kerly, Managing Director at Everon UK, offers insight on the biggest technological shifts expected this year and how housing and care providers can stay ahead of the curve.
This week also marks one year remaining until the digital switchover takes place.
Dates for your Diary
Housing LIN Conferences 2026: Shaping Homes for Health, Independence, and Connection.
We recently opened registrations for our FREE Annual Conferences, Shaping Homes for Health, Independence, and Connection, and only a handful of places remain!
Thanks to our Network, speakers and sponsors for making these flagship events possible, bringing together housing, health and care leaders to explore innovation and national developments.
Find out more and register your place:
HAPPI Hour webinars
Last year, we hosted over 20 insightful HAPPI Hour webinars, featuring diverse speakers and topics from dementia-friendly design and AI to community-led housing, almshouses and diversity.
You can now access the full recordings, slides, chat reports and feedback for all previous sessions, and we look forward to launching our Spring/Summer 2026 series in April.
Online workshop: Age-friendly Bus Stops on 04/02/2026 2pm till 3pm
Join our online age-friendly signage guide workshop for local councils, focused on bus stops/implementation. This workshop is delivered in partnership with the Centre for Ageing Better, ARUP and Housing LIN.
There are 20 places available on a first-come, first-served basis, and a maximum of 2 places per council.
What else caught our interest...
- Allsop LLP report: The State of the Senior Sector
- Construction Premier News feature: Appleby Blue
- Housing News article: National retrofit hub Call for retrofit to be treated as place-based health intervention
- Investors in Healthcare article: Consolidation, capital and credibility: The new era of Seniors Housing investment
- The Scotsman article: Independent living, designed for the future Scotland - Debbie Collins, chief executive of Bield
- Social Care Future throughtpiece: Getting help and advice to understand our later life care options
- The Supported Living podcast: The Housing Needs of Autistic People with Christine Edwards-Daem
- UK Parliament policy news: Warm Homes Plan
- Welsh Government written statement: Learning Disability Policy, priorities, achievements and plans
Want to know what we're working on at Housing LIN?
From sector-leading 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.