HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health and Social Care Latest News
HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health and Social Care Latest News
21 September 2026
Last week, we turned our attention north for Scottish Housing Day, marked by a new report from CIH Scotland, and a thought-provoking Housing LIN guest blog.
Looking ahead, we widen the focus to the whole of the UK for International Day of Older People, as our 1st October HAPPI Hour offers a universal perspective from all four corners of the UK. Senior figures from Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England will reflect on how the shifting political landscape is affecting our sector, and what practical lessons can be drawn from the different approaches taken across the devolved nations. Book now for this session.
And don't forget to attend tomorrow's exciting opening session, A HAPPI future: Designing age-friendly homes and communities for wellbeing, where we follow the thread of a successful project, from research to design and commissioning. There's still time to book your place here!
Also in this edition:
- Last chance to apply for our Research Officer role — closes 5pm, Wednesday 23 September
- Guest blog from Elke Ielegems previews tomorrow's webinar, with insights from the Belgian HOUSE research project
- Guest blog from Julia Wait on developing a National Enabling Framework for later-life cohousing
- Harris Irwin Architects open a new southern office in Kingston Upon Thames
- Full HAPPI Hour schedule, and other Housing LIN-supported events from LSE, Generations Working Together and Housing 21
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 the Housing LIN Consultancy & Research team!
This week is the last chance to apply to become our new Research Officer, joining our consultancy and research team on a fixed-term basis.
This is an opportunity to undertake qualitative research directly with people with a wide range of lived experience and help ensure their experiences and views are reflected in our work. A hybrid role from home and our Bristol office, the position will also involve regular travel across England.
Click through for more information and to read the Recruitment Pack, and remember to apply by 5pm, Wednesday 23 September 2026.
Harris Irwin Architects expand practice with new southern office
Congratulations to Harris Irwin Architects, who celebrated the opening of their new southern office in Kingston Upon Thames this week - a major milestone for the growing practice.
Long-standing supporters and sponsors of the Housing LIN, the award-winning practice have delivered over 50 major residential care projects since their inception in 2014.
Resource Roundup
Healthy Homes, Healthy Futures: Scottish Housing Day Report 2026
On the event of Scottish Housing Day, CIH Scotland and partners last week launched a new report exploring the many ways in which housing impacts every aspect of health, and making a number of recommendations for the Scottish government.
Drawing on surveys of tenants and housing practitioners, plus real-world case studies, the report shows how good quality, accessible, affordable homes improve physical and mental wellbeing, and sets out what government must do next.
Browse a range of resources on specialist housing for older people in Scotland on our Housing LIN Scotland webpages.
Expert Insights
Are we asking the right question about ageing at home? Insights from the HOUSE research
Ahead of tomorrow's HAPPI Hour webinar, Elke Ielegems - architect, postdoctoral researcher and valorisation coordinator on the HOUSE research project in Flanders, Belgium - draws on the project findings to question whether simply staying at home is enough, and explores what it really takes for a place to support someone as they grow older.
Join us at tomorrow's session to hear more about the research findings.
A Better Way to Grow Old?
16th September marked both Scottish Housing Day, and the publication of this guest blog from Julia Wait, an independent researcher in the Scottish Highlands.
Julia describes how her and her friends' cohousing ambitions led her to begin developing a National Enabling Framework for Later-Life Cohousing - supported by an AI assistant - exploring how government could make it easier for groups to create durable, supportive communities in later life. She explains why community-led alternatives deserve wider awareness, and reflects on what AI might offer to such initiatives.
What else caught our interest...
- BBC news item: 'People forget we exist': Why older LGBTQ+ people fear losing identity
- DHSC news: Six neighbourhood health trailblazers to transform care
- ILC-UK report: Retirement transitions - acting now to support better outcomes for those on the verge of retirement
- Place Matters report: Partnerships for Neighbourhood Health Workshop - Summary report
- Trusted Assessing & Care Training (TACT) article: Living Made Easy and AskSARA Transfer to Trusted Assessing and Care Training
- United St Saviour's Charity recruitment: We’re looking for our next Chair and two new Trustees
Dates for your diary
HAPPI Hour webinars
- A HAPPI future: Designing age-friendly homes and communities for wellbeing on 22nd September 2026, from 4pm - 5pm
- A universal offer: International Day of Older People on 1st October 2026, from 4pm - 5pm
- Specialist Housing and the impact of Artificial Intelligence on 8th October 2026, from 4pm - 5pm
- Dementia Across the Four Nations - Showcasing Innovation, Best Practice and Housing Readiness Across the UK on 20th October 2026, from 4pm - 5:15pm
- SHAPE Challenge Fund Launch – the shape of things to come on 27th October 2026, from 4pm - 5:15pm
- From caring places to neighbourhood health – Inspiring a new vision for adult social care on 3rd November 2026, from 4pm - 5:15pm
- Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans and fire safety – taking responsibility in specialist/supported housing on 10th November 2026, from 4pm - 5pm
- Technology unplugged - Delivering digital solutions on 17th November 2026, from 4pm - 5:15pm
- Housing storeys - Planning for accessibility and adaptations on 1st December 2026, from 4pm - 5pm
- The key to unlocking healthy communities on 8th December 2026, from 4pm - 5pm
- HAPPI Awareness Week showcase event on 15th December 2026, from 4pm - 5:15pm
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
LSE Roundtable Discussion: How can we meet the housing needs of an ageing population
by LSE Housing and Communities
23rd September 2026, from 10am - 12pm
Global Intergenerational Congress
by Generations Working Together
29th September 2026, 9am - 1st October 2026, 12:30pm
Beyond Age: Rethinking Later Life
by Housing 21
14th October 2026, from 10am - 4pm
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