HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health and Social Care Latest News
HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health and Social Care Latest News
6 July 2026
This week we are looking forward to our first 'TAPPI Hour', Technology-enabled, co-designed housing for better later living, a technology-focused webinar in the HAPPI Hour slot, showcasing co-designed housing solutions that put residents at the heart of decision-making.
If you have not already, register now to attend and join us on Tuesday, 7 July from 4pm - 5pm.
We were pleased to celebrate Co-production Week last week, an important step to ensuring there is co-design in everything the Housing with Care sector does.
Also featured in this week's newsletter:
- Don't forget to have your say this week in our State of the Nation survey in collaboration with HCR Law on the impact of AI in specialist and supported housing
- A new Housing LIN Viewpoint by Tunstall's Mark Hindle makes the case for bringing health and housing together for a more sustainable NHS
- Two new Housing LIN guest blogs:
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A neighbourly way to age well together…, by Paul Sedgwick of Still Green Cohousing
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Reflections from Housing LIN’s Annual Conference, Bristol by Anchor's Kirstie Garlick
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- Webinar recording now available: Showcasing community-led housing projects – designing with community in mind
- Launch of the Home Adaptations in Social Housing Charter from Foundations
- St Monica Trust win award for Millstream, Keynsham
And lots more of what else 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
Last chance to contribute to our ‘State of the Nation’ survey on how AI is impacting specialist/supported housing
We are keen to hear your voice in the final week of our 'State of the Nation' artificial intelligence (AI) survey, in partnership with HCR Law.
We’re exploring how AI is being used across specialist and supported housing, understanding its opportunities and challenges to help sector learning. The survey closes at the end of this week, so please share your insights by completing the survey before Friday, 10 July 2026. Thank you for your support.
Congratulations to St Monica Trust for award
St Monica Trust’s Millstream at The Chocolate Quarter in Keynsham has been named Residential Project of the Year (36 Homes and Over) at the Michelmores Property Awards 2026.
Resource Roundup
Catch up on our latest webinar: Showcasing community-led housing projects – designing with community in mind
During last week's Co-production Week 2026 (29 June-3 July), our HAPPI Hour webinar explored community-led housing for older people, focusing on how developments can be shaped and delivered with communities at the heart of the design process.
Speakers highlighted practical approaches to co-design, and shared insights from community housing support initiatives, perspectives from cohousing experts, and architectural thinking on designing age-friendly, sustainable neighbourhoods.
Why closing the gap between health and housing will alleviate pressure on the NHS
In this new Housing LIN Viewpoint, author Mark Hindle, Managing Director at Tunstall Healthcare, draws on his experience and the latest policy direction to make the case that closing the gap between health and housing is essential to creating a more sustainable NHS and improving outcomes for individuals.
Launching the Home Adaptations in Social Housing Charter
Foundations, the national body for Home Improvement Agencies, have launched the Home Adaptations in Social Housing Charter that sets out a shared commitment between local authorities and housing associations to make home adaptations, such as the Disabled Facilities Grants process, faster, clearer and fairer for older and disabled tenants.
Expert Insights
A neighbourly way to age well together…
In the first of this week's guest blogs, Paul Sedgwick, a member of Still Green Cohousing, shares how senior cohousing can create supportive, self-managed communities where neighbourliness helps people age well.
Paul explores the vision behind Still Green Cohousing in Wolverton, Milton Keynes, with 29 homes being developed around shared gardens and a Common House, and where older residents can actively shape their community, support one another, and embrace sustainable living.
Reflections from Housing LIN’s Annual Conference, Bristol
Kirstie Garlick, Operations Manager – Extra Care at Anchor, looks back on the Housing LIN’s Bristol conference earlier this year, and reflects on the key messages from the event and what they mean for the future of housing for older people.
Drawing in part on the inspiring Poppyseeds intergenerational initiative in Cambridgeshire, Kirstie explores the growing national commitment to social, affordable and specialist housing, the importance of partnership working, and Anchor’s role in delivering high-quality Extra Care communities.
What else caught our interest...
- CIH Scotland survey: Scottish Housing Day partners launch surveys on housing and health
- Commercial Real Estate, Australia article: Local downsizing trend reshapes retirement sector
- DHSC Letter to Baroness Casey: Progress on adult social care reform recommendations
- Foundations blog: Housing Belongs at the Heart of the MND Conversation
- Habinteg Housing policy blog: If the government wants disabled people to work, it needs to understand the realities of our lives
- House of Commons Committee debate: Housing Committee Chair to push the government to go faster and further on leasehold reform
- Housing Options Scotland news: Call for host of new project to strengthen links between housing and social care
- Inside Housing Development Awards 2026 open: Recognising quality homes and sustainable places
- Laing Buisson news (subscribers only): Everon to deliver wireless alarm upgrade for Home Group
- Neil Crowther blog: Why we need social ambition more than clinical ambition when it comes to dementia
- SAGA magazine feature: “A vibrant, comfortable, fun place” - inside the UK’s first LGBTQ+ retirement community
- Welsh Government capital funding: £20m funding boost to speed up social homes delivery in Wales
Dates for your diary
HAPPI Hour webinars
- 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
- Building Health into Homes: how occupational therapy can unlock the connection between housing and health on 21st July, 4pm - 5pm
- 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.
Other Events Supported by the Housing LIN
Looking Ahead: The Future of Residential Design
We are pleased to promote this series of informal workshops from P+HS Architects exploring the future of housing - from regulation and sustainability to wellbeing and housing quality.
The sessions will take place in:
- Manchester (9 July)
- Durham (15 July)
- Bradford (21 July)
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From needs assessments and strategy development to research, evaluation and service improvement, we provide tailored support grounded in evidence, policy insight and practical experience to shape your strategic and operational plans.
To discuss how we can help, please email consultancy@housinglin.org.uk or find out more about our Research and Advisory Services.