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In this new Housing LIN guest blog, Ujwala Fernandes, Regional Director at AtkinsReális, shares how well-designed landscapes can transform sheltered housing.

In this week’s Housing LIN newsletter, we thank everyone joining tomorrow’s Annual Conference in Newcastle! Highlights  also include the £723m Disabled Facilities Grant, Wales’ 2026 housing programme, reflections on a decade of progress, RIBA-awarded schemes, Housing Design Awards closing 6 March, guest blogs from Jon McDonald and Nick Sinclair, plus sector stories and resources.

As RIBA reveal their regional awards shortlists, celebrating commitment to design, buildings and spaces that enhance people's lives, developments featuring HAPPI-designed schemes and intergenerational living are amongst those being championed.

Chaired by Hedyn’s Joanne Kirrane, the Housing LIN Cymru Steering Group yesterday highlighted the pressing operational demands on housing and related care and support for older people in Wales.

Written in advance of his presentation at the Housing LIN Conference 2026, Nick Sinclair, Programme Director of the Local Area Coordination Network at Community Catalysts, explores how relationship-based, community-centred support can transform the experiences of people facing housing instability and homelessness.

A new guest blog for the Housing LIN by Jon McDonald, Head of Supported Housing at Karbon Homes, explores how the North East is responding to the growing pressures of an ageing population through strengthened partnerships and ambitious extra care development.

The Government has advised that the Disabled Facilities Grant budget will be £723m for the next financial year. In addition to the one-off £50m announced last month for 2025/26, a further £12m has been allocated for next year.

Next February marks ten years since the Welsh Government’s Expert Panel, chaired by Professor Judith Phillips, published A Housing AGEnda, setting bold ambitions for older people’s housing in Wales. Jeremy Porteus, CEO of Housing LIN, reflects on a decade of progress and missed opportunities in this new Housing LIN blog.

In this week's HLINks, we share guidance from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, updates on Homes England’s SAHP bidding, insights from Appello’s digital readiness report, a new inquiry by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, Housing LIN blogs, and essential housing, health and care resources today.

The Government has issued new guidance requiring local authorities in England to assess supported housing need and produce five-year plans by March 2027. Many councils are already progressing this work.