HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health and Social Care Latest News

News Highlights

Making airwaves: Stonewater’s ‘On the Air’ spotlights Supported Housing

To coincide with the first-ever NHF Supported Housing Week, our CEO Jeremy Porteus, joined Stonewater’s ‘On the Air’ recording on Supported Housing to talk about older people living healthier, more connected lives for longer.

The episode shines a light on the life changing services that provides the safety, stability and personalised support people need to recover, rebuild confidence and live independently.

• Listen to the podcast

Lois Beech calls for intergenerational communities to become part of everyday placemaking at national conference

Lois Beech, Assistant Director: Commercial and Partnerships at the Housing LIN, was among the speakers at this month's Housing 21 annual conference, where sector leaders discussed how to improve rightsizing options for an ageing population. Her contribution has since been covered by Inside Housing.

• Read the full story

First meeting of HLIN Midlands Leadership Set: A much-needed regional forum on specialist housing

Launched to coincide with Supported Housing Week, the new Housing LIN regional forum brought together for the first time a selection of affordable specialist housing and general needs housing providers who manage care and support across the West and East Midlands to discuss operational pressures and explore strategic priorities.

With thanks to sponsor HCR Law for hosting the inaugural in-person meeting of the Housing LIN Midlands Leadership Set at their offices in Leamington Spa.

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Supported Housing Advisory Panel’s initial advice to ministers published

The Supported Housing Advisory Panel’s initial advice to ministers has been published. The advice includes looking at how assessments of local need for supported housing can be improved, gives commissioners a stronger role in shaping provision, and makes sure local supported housing strategies actually lead to more housing being delivered.

• Read the report

London Assembly Housing Committee focuses on housing for older Londoners

The London Assembly Housing Committee met last week to examine whether London's homes are ready for an ageing population. It heard evidence - including from Older People’s Housing Taskforce chair, Professor Julienne Meyer - on how well existing housing meets older people's needs, the challenges of adapting homes to support independent living, and whether enough specialist housing is being provided to these groups. A recording of the meeting can be viewed via webcast or YouTube.

The London Assembly call for evidence is still open to anyone with knowledge or views on housing for older Londoners. If you would like to respond, the deadline for responses is Friday, 30 October 2026.

• Find out more

Resource Roundup

Unlocking the doors to supported housing

We were pleased to open Supported Housing Week with this new Housing LIN Viewpoint (No. 122), in which Sir David Pearson, Independent Chair of the Government’s Supported Housing Advisory Panel, explains why supported housing is fundamental to people’s life chances and how the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 aims to raise standards through local strategies and a new licensing scheme.

• Read this Viewpoint

Bridgewell Supported Living: Bridging a new generation of supported housing in Berkshire

In this latest Inspirational Achievement, Arcadis’ Senior Living & Care team shares how they worked with Bracknell Forest Council to deliver Bridgewell Supported Living, completed in September 2025. The scheme replaces accommodation that no longer met tenants’ mobility, independence or future needs, including bedrooms without lift access and bathrooms that had become increasingly difficult to use.

• View the full feature

Expert Insights

More long term homes not long stay hospitals

In this guest blog for Supported Housing Week, Penelope Green, Head of Evaluation and Influencing at Look Ahead and Programme Director at the Learning Disability and Autism Housing Coalition, explains why specialist supported housing is so hard to fund and develop. She highlights how high build costs and the Rent Standard’s “no public subsidy” condition leave providers struggling to deliver homes.

• Read this blog

Supported housing: a smart investment that changes lives and saves money

Ruth Jennings, Executive Director of Care at emh, contributed this guest blog to Supported Housing Week, in which she challenges the view of supported housing as a cost to the public purse. Drawing on research from government, the National Housing Federation and Housing LIN, Ruth highlights estimated annual savings of £3.5 billion in England through the prevention of hospital stays, residential care and homelessness.

• Read this blog

What else caught our interest...

• Academic Unit for Ageing and Stroke Unit journal article: Analysis of survey free-text responses looking at older people’s capabilities, opportunities and motivations to go online
• APPG on Social Care call for evidence: Building a National Care Service: From Public Expectations to Practical Reform
• Architects’ Journal report: Good Homes for All 2.0: How architects can help deliver housing
• BBC Panorama programme: The Big Housing Rip-Off  
• Care Quality Commission report: State of Care 2025/26
• Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland report: Ready or Not: The ageing population
• Covid Public Inquiry report: The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the publicly and privately funded adult social care sector in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Department of Health and Social Care report: Adult social care finance report, England: 2025 to 2026
• LGA online resource: Leading digital integration for better health and wellbeing
• Look Ahead report: Breaking the Cycle: Supported Housing as an Enabler of Mental Health Hospital Discharge and Community Mental Health Service Delivery
• Public Health Wales report: Guidance for Planning Authorities in Wales
• Public Policy Projects article: The civic infrastructure of neighbourhood and place
• YouTube video: This suit shows you what it's like to be elderly

Dates for your diary

HAPPI Hour webinars

• 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
• 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.

• Explore the full schedule

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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.