HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health, and Social Care Latest News
HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health, and Social Care Latest News
15 June 2026
This week marks both Loneliness Awareness Week (LAW) and Learning Disability Week (LDW).
LAW, led by Marmalade Trust, shines a light on the impact of loneliness and the importance of meaningful connections. Visit our Loneliness and Isolation Hub for reports, case studies, blogs and guidance on how housing, community design, care services and technology can help reduce loneliness and social isolation.
LDW, led by Mencap, aims to ensure the experiences of people with a learning disability are heard and understood. Explore our Housing and Learning Disability Hub for resources on how housing, community design, care services and technology can also support people with learning disabilities and autistic people to live independently.
Lastly, we were also delighted to see leading figures from housing recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours. Congratulations to David Birkbeck, Aileen Evans and Alyson Scurfield for their well-deserved recognition and contributions to the sector.
Also featured in today's newsletter:
- Take part in our ‘State of the Nation’ survey, in partnership with HCR Law, exploring the impact of AI in specialist and supported housing.
- New Building Health into Homes strategic report from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and Foundations, launched in the House of Lords.
- A Carers Week guest blog series by Julie Smyth (Wellbeing Design) on care, compassion and the changing reality of care homes.
- Department of Health and Social Care report on housing and health in local strategic health planning.
- Government publishes the Supported Housing Advisory Panel Terms of Reference.
And lots more that caught our interest, including key resources and news updates exploring how housing, care, funding, regulation and design can better support an ageing population through accessible, person-centred and cost-effective housing and care solutions.
Thank you for joining us each week and being part of our learning community.
|
Best wishes, The Housing LIN Team |
News highlights
Take part in our ‘State of the Nation’ survey to help sector learning on how AI is impacting specialist/supported housing
In association with HCR Law, we are delighted to announce that our Artificial Intelligence in specialist/supported housing survey is now open. We want to hear from you and learn from your experience on the use of AI in the sector.
Have your say by Monday, 6 July 2026 at 5pm.
Housing and Tech leaders recognised in King’s Birthday Honours
We are really pleased to see several key housing industry figures recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Congratulations particularly go to David Birkbeck (Design for Homes), Aileen Evans (Great Places Housing Association) and Alyson Scurfield (Tech Services Association).
Resource roundup
Webinar recording now available - SHAPE Exchange: Designing homes and communities that reduce isolation and build connection
To mark Loneliness Awareness Week 2026, we are pleased to share the recording of last week's HAPPI Hour webinar on designing homes and communities that reduce isolation and build connection, the first event in our SHAPE Exchange series.
A big thank you to the Vivensa Foundation for chairing the discussion, and to our expert panel for showcasing how inclusive, care-ready housing and age-friendly communities can support independence, wellbeing and social connection in later life.
Building Health into Homes: Strategic Report - How occupational therapy can unlock the connection between housing and health
Housing LIN CEO Jeremy Porteus joined guests at the House of Lords for the launch of Building Health into Homes, a new report published by Royal College of Occupational Therapists in collaboration with Foundations.
Building on Adaptations without Delay, the report explores how occupational therapy can help strengthen the connection between housing and health. Join our HAPPIHour webinar on Tuesday, 21 July, to learn more.
Housing and health in local strategic health planning
A new report by the Department of Health and Social Care offers findings from a national review of how housing features in local strategic health planning documents in England.
The analysis reviews how housing is reflected within local strategic health planning in England, focusing on joint strategic needs assessments and joint local health and wellbeing strategies.
Government publishes Supported Housing Advisory Panel Terms of Reference
Further to the announcement of an Advisory Panel for Supported Housing to oversee the implementation of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act, the government have now published the Panel’s Terms of Reference.
Hear from the Chair of the Advisory Group at our HAPPI Hour webinar on Tuesday, 28 July, to find out more.
Expert insights
Carers Week 2026: Julie Smyth reflects on care, compassion and the changing reality of care homes
To coincide with Carers Week 2026, we were pleased to feature a new three-part guest blog series by Julie Smyth, Director at Wellbeing Designs.
Drawing on both personal experience and professional insight, Julie explores the changing role of care homes as they support residents with increasingly complex needs. She also reflects on the emotional realities faced by care staff and the role of design in creating healthier, more supportive workplaces.
Together, the blogs offer a timely perspective on the future of care and workforce wellbeing.
What else caught our interest...
- Age UK podcast: Mind the Age Gap
- ARCO news item: Housing-with-care operators call for New Zealand-style tenure reform
- BMJ open article: The benefits and costs of domiciliary care: a study protocol for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of domiciliary care in England
- Foundations blog: More than half of social housing tenants need us to think differently
- Housing Digital article: Torus starts work on Sefton extra care schemes
- Housing Today article [subscribers only]: Ensuring older people aren’t placed in the ‘wrong setting’: My work as an operations manager at Preferred Homes
- Inside Housing article [subscribers only]: Sector is lobbying government for extra supported housing funding, Homes England director says
- MHCLG guidance: Draft statutory Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) operating and enforcement guidance
- Northern Ireland government guide: Health and Communities Ministers launch ‘Designing Homes for All’ guide
- tcpa news item item: Designing places for climate resilience
Dates for your diary
HAPPI Hour webinars
- 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
- NEW: Building Health into Homes: how occupational therapy can unlock the connection between housing and health on 21st July, 4pm - 5pm
- NEW: Creating Safe and Supportive Housing Environments on 28th 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.
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.