HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health, and Social Care Latest News
HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health, and Social Care Latest News
26 May 2026
As we look ahead to Pride Month in June, it is an important moment to recognise and celebrate LGBTQ+ older adults and reaffirm our commitment to inclusive housing, health and care services.
Many older LGBTQ+ people have experienced discrimination, exclusion and barriers to accessing safe, affirming support throughout their lives. Pride Month offers an opportunity for organisations across the housing and community sectors to reflect on how we create places where everyone can age with dignity, visibility and belonging.
Join us on Tuesday, 2 June at our HAPPI Hour webinar, “Pride in Place: Celebrating Inclusive Housing & LGBTQ+ Community Initiatives”.
Also in today's newsletter:
- This Thursday’s HAPPI Hour webinar exploring global accessibility and inclusive design in practice
- Housing LIN leads UKREiiF 2026 discussion on building intergenerational communities
- Inspirational Achievement showcasing Everon UK’s partnership with East Kent Colleges Group to bring digital care technology into classrooms
- Updated Local Government Association toolkit on Joint Strategic Needs Assessments
- New report from the Older People’s Commissioner for Northern Ireland on the experiences of older private renters
- Two new guest blogs from Housing LIN Future Leaders Programme participants, reflecting on leadership, confidence and career progression.
And lots more that caught our interest!
Thank you for joining us each week and being part of our learning community.
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Best wishes, The Housing LIN Team |
News Highlights
Join our HAPPI Hour webinar following Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2026
To mark last week's Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2026, we are delighted to invite you to this week's HAPPI Hour webinar on Designing for Everyone: Global Accessibility & Inclusive Design in Practice.
Join us on Thursday, 28th May 2026 from 4pm - 5pm as we explore how inclusive design can create healthier homes and communities for people of all ages.
Whether you work in planning, design, housing or policy, this session offers valuable perspectives and actionable ideas to embed accessibility at every stage of development and decision-making, helping create environments where everyone can thrive.
Housing LIN Leads UKREiiF 2026 discussion on building intergenerational communities
Housing LIN's Lois Beech was pleased to chair the session “Lincolnshire: A Beacon for Intergenerational Living” at the Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority Pavilion during UKREiiF 2026 (the UK's premier real estate, investment, and infrastructure forum).
WIth thanks to the Intergenerational Pollinators, the session brought together leaders from housing, design, development and community engagement to explore how intergenerational living can create healthier, more connected and resilient places.
NHF project on The Future of Supported Housing launched
The National Housing Federation have announced the establishment of a new project on the future of supported housing in partnership with New Local.
Chaired by former MHCLG Director, Terrie Alafat, the project will explore how to ensure supported housing is good quality, financially sustainable and able to grow so the sector can meet people’s needs, now and in the future.
Resource Roundup
Training the Future of Care Students Test Real-World Health Technology in Live Simulations
In this latest Housing LIN Inspirational Achievement, we are delighted to highlight Everon UK’s partnership with East Kent Colleges Group, bringing digital care technology into classrooms across six campuses.
Around 150–200 students are gaining hands-on experience in simulated care environments, building digital confidence, innovation and problem-solving skills while exploring technology’s role in independent living. The collaboration highlights how education and industry can work together to deliver smarter, safer care.
Updated LGA toolkit on Joint Strategic Needs Assessments
This new Local Government Association toolkit sees the renewed focus on Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) as a step change in the JSNA's statutory significance for Health and Wellbeing Boards and subsequent planning and commissioning intentions.
INGENIOUS Insight: Understanding air pollution in homes
This insight report captures the findings from the INGENIOUS project (Understanding the sources, transformations, and fates of Indoor air pollutants). It shares a better understanding of air pollution in our homes, which will benefit public health for years to come.
Led by the University of York the report also offers practical recommendations, such as improving ventilation, using extractor fans, and reducing spray cleaners, while highlighting the need for stronger UK indoor air quality policies.
The experience of older private renters in Northern Ireland
This new report by the Older People’s Commissioner for Northern Ireland highlights that the number of older private renters in Northern Ireland is set to rise significantly and the challenges faced by today’s older renters are likely to become a mainstream social issue affecting future generations.
The report calls for action to strengthen protections for private renters and ensure housing is safe, secure and suitable for an ageing population.
Expert Insights
Finding My Place in the Room
In this Housing LIN guest blog, Phoebe Newton, Customer Voice & Engagement Officer at Sovereign Network Group, shares how the Housing LIN Future Leaders Programme transformed her understanding of leadership, confidence and belonging.
Seeing My Experience Through a New Lens
In the second Housing LIN guest blog from a Future Leaders Programme participant, Anita Hansen, Funding Manager at Sovereign Network Group, reflects on how the programme reshaped her views on leadership and career progression.
Initially unsure whether the programme was right for someone at her stage in in her career, Anita reflects on how the experience became enriching, enlightening and empowering.
What else caught our interest...
- Centre for Ageing Better article: Age-friendly Hospital
- Codi YouTube video: Kirsty’s Story: From Support to Independence
- Design Commission for Wales article: Spotlights on Ageism: The Built Environment - Older People’s Commissioner for Wales
- DHSC news: The Rt Hon James Murray MP
- EngAGED article USA: How the Aging Network is Promoting Social Connection
- Health Foundation blog: The gap between housing, health and big life change
- Homes England: Building for a Healthy Life guidance update
- House of Commons Health and Social Care committee report: Healthy Ageing: physical activity in an ageing society
- Monocle article: How to age in a dignified way: know your neighbours
- NHS England guide: Best practice guide for NHS frailty pathways
- Scottish Housing News: Ashley Campbell: Working together is the only way to help people live well with dementia
Dates for your diary
HAPPI Hour webinars
- Designing for Everyone: Global Accessibility & Inclusive Design in Practice on 28th May, 4pm - 5pm
- Pride in Place: Celebrating inclusive housing & LGBTQ+ community initiatives on 2nd June, 4pm - 5pm
- SHAPE Exchange: Designing homes and communities that reduce isolation and build connection on 9th June, 4pm - 5pm
- Showcasing community-led housing projects – designing with community in mind on 30th June, 4pm - 5pm
- Technology-enabled, co-designed housing for better later living on 7th July, 4pm - 5pm
- Housing LIN Scotland – A manifesto for older people’s housing on 14th July, 4pm - 5pm
While free to attend for Housing LIN members, spaces are limited. Reserve your place today and join us for inspiring conversations, fresh insights and engaging ideas.
Events supported by the Housing LIN
- UK Cohousing Network: Living in Cohousing: Is It for Me? – Evening Online Cohort Course, 27 May, from 7pm - 8:30pm
- Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre: Launch of the Smart Home Digital Blueprint, 2 June, from 1pm - 2:30pm
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.