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

News highlights

Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act: Guidance to local authorities regarding supported housing strategies

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published guidance issued under section 2 of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act (SHROA) 2023.

Local authorities must prepare and publish a Local Supported Housing Strategy that sets a clear vision, strategic priorities, and delivery plan for supported housing provision. 

• Read guidance and find out how we can help

Homes England’s SAHP 2026 – 2036 will open for bidding on 24 February 2026

We are pleased to report that Homes England’s Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) 2026 – 2036 will open for bidding on 24 February 2026, the day of the Housing LIN annual conference in Newcastle. 

Accompanying SAHP guidance provides information for housing providers on funding for affordable housing, including specialist/supported housing and intergenerational housing opportunities.

• Read on

Resource roundup

Are housing providers ready for the digital switchover challenge?

The Digital Telecare Readiness Report 2026, published by Appello in partnership with Housing LIN, reveals a widening readiness gap. While awareness of the switch-off is high, many providers do not expect to complete their digital telecare upgrades in time, raising real concerns for resident safety.

Part 1 of the Digital Telecare Readiness report looks into three critical areas: Risks of delay, safety vs. tech, and the skills gap.

• Read report

Housing Conditions in the Social Rented Sector

Raising the standard of social homes in England is essential given the progress at bringing homes up to a minimum standard has almost ground to a halt, says the cross-party Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee in a report published last week.

• Read report

Expert insights

Designing for End-of-Life Care: Architectural Insights for Resilient Housing

This new Housing LIN guest blog by Dr Sam Clark and Professor Juliet Davis from Cardiff University explores how architectural design can better support ageing and end-of-life care.

Drawing on research shared at last year's Housing LIN Cymru Symposium in Welshpool, it highlights why understanding “getting in place” and designing for dying-in-place are essential to helping people remain in familiar homes and communities for longer.

• Read blog

Placemaking for an Ageing Population in Wales

Max Hampton from the Design Commission for Wales examines how placemaking can tackle loneliness and strengthen community connections in this new Housing LIN guest blog.

Reflecting on the Placemaking Wales Charter, the blog considers how location, movement, mixed uses and identity all contribute to age-friendly neighbourhoods. Read on to discover practical ways to design places that help Wales age well.

• Read blog

What else caught our interest...

• Anchor report: Social Value at Anchor 2026
• Centre for Care: Towards a better future for care: Impact report (Nov 2021–Apr 2025)
• Foundations update: Behaviours of Concern: A best practice approach to the DFG Process
• Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods report: Pride in Parades I: The State of Neighbourhood Social Infrastructure
• Independent Living article: Housing and Disability in the UK: Voices, Policy and the Reality of Inclusion
• Innovation Unit blog: Housing as social infrastructure
• Inside Housing Living article: Unlocking growth in retirement living: what legal reforms do we really need?
• LGA feature: Care where we live – conversations about adult social care reform
• MHCLG announcement: Final Local Government Finance Settlement: England, 2026-2027 to 2028-2029
• National Audit Office report: Unlocking land for housing
• RCOT updated guidance: Care Act 2014 guidance
• The Developer article: How the new NPPF puts design back at the heart of planning
• The Times (subscription only): Shared meals and open gates: inside the UK’s co-housing revolution
• Third Age Design article: Redefining Accessible Bathrooms: Design, Demand and User Experience
• Trusted Assessing and Care Training (TACT): Have Your Say – Help Improve Trusted Assessor Services (survey closes on 15th April 2026)

Dates for your diary

Housing LIN Conferences 2026: Shaping Homes for Health, Independence, and Connection

It's still possible to reserve a place for our FREE Annual Conferences, Shaping Homes for Health, Independence, and Connection.

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 reserve your place:

• Newcastle, Crowne Plaza: Tuesday, 24th February

• Bristol, We The Curious: Thursday, 12th March

HAPPI Hour webinars

We look forward to sharing exciting updates about our Spring/Summer HAPPI Hour webinar series commencing in April 2026.

In the meantime, you can now access the full recordings, slides, chat reports and feedback for all previous sessions, featuring diverse speakers and topics from dementia-friendly design and AI to community-led housing, almshouses and diversity. 

• Catch up here

Events supported by the Housing LIN

• Appello webinar: Navigating the 2026 Telecare Bottleneck on Wednesday 25th February, 11am - 12pm
  A2D Converters, PDPL, or Dispersed Alarms? Evaluating the Safest Interim Solutions to 2027

Want to know what we're working on?

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.