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Research & good practice

Examples of practice

The Housing LIN were commissioned by the Welsh Government last year to undertake research and provide an independent assessment of the demand for specialist housing and the accommodation for older people (opens new window). Our independent report was published by the Welsh Government in January 2020.

If you have any published examples of practice on housing for older people in Wales that you think should be uploaded on this page and/or know schemes that would benefit from being written up as future Housing LIN case studies, please email: Cymru@housinglin.org.uk

On these pages we capture research findings and good practice examples on housing with care matters in Wales, including extra care housing. For useful Housing LIN Case Studies, visit Useful Case Studies.

Research reports

The following research looks specifically at extra care housing in Wales:

Austerity, Ageism, and the Rhetoric of Self-reliance: The Policy Drivers and Socio-cultural Attitudes Contributing to the Loneliness Experienced by Older Residents in an Underprivileged Community in South Wales

This article, published in Social Policy and Society, presents research that explored loneliness in an underprivileged community, whose perspective supports a growing body of evidence that loneliness amongst older people is driven by wider structural and socio-cultural exclusion.

Cold homes in Wales: Is the satisfactory heating regime appropriate for health and well-being?

This report from Public Health Wales and Bangor University presents evidence that living in a colder home is linked with negative impacts on health and well-being, particularly for people who are older or who have health conditions or disabilities, and includes a set of recommendations on the satisfactory heating regime in Wales.

Healthy Homes for Healthy Ageing

This booklet by Care & Repair Cymru is packed full of advice on how older people can keep safe and warm in their own home. From tips on how to avoid trips, to a handy home checklist of things to look out for each month and year, the booklet contains lots of helpful practical information.

State of older people's housing in Wales

Older people in Wales are facing a housing crisis. This Care & Repair Cymru report looks at the challenges, causes and solutions to a threat targeting our oldest homeowners.

Hospital to a Healthier Home: Care & Repair Appraisal – 3 years on

A report published by Care and Repair Cymru shows how the Hospital to a Healthier Home project is reducing hospital readmission rates for older people by up to half and saving 20,000 bed days at Welsh hospitals each year.

Understanding Wales’ Ageing Population: Key Statistics

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales has created a resource that brings together key statistics, evidence and research to provide an overview of people’s experiences of growing older in Wales.

Benchmarking the situation of older people in Wales: The UK Ageing Index

Report on the wellbeing of older people in Wales compared to the three other UK nations.

Right place, right home, right size? Increasing housing mobility for social housing tenants in North Wales.

Research published by Tyfu Tai Cymru on the reasons preventing people from moving into home that are the “right size” despite their current homes being too big or too small utilising insights from professionals, tenants and the existing literature to propose areas of future focus for the group to work collaboratively on progressing.

From hospital to home; planning the discharge journey

This CIH Cymru publication gives fresh insights about the role of housing advice in the hospital discharge planning process.

Accessible Social Housing in Gwent: A review of allocations systems

This comprehensive report, produced for the Gwent Health and Social Care Partnership, examines the practices, policies and systems that enable effective allocation of adapted and accessible social housing across the five Gwent local authority areas, showing extensive variation between each of the Accessible Housing Registers and how they operated locally.

An assessment of the demand for specialist housing and accommodation for older people in Wales

Housing LIN research for the Welsh Government of the demand for specialist housing and accommodation needs of older people up to 2035.

Assessing the potential benefits of living in co-operative and/or community led housing

New research released today by Wales Co-operative Centre, with support from the Nationwide Foundation, has found that residents experience improved mental well-being and happiness as well as skills development from living in co-operative and community-led housing schemes.

Good health brought home: What makes a good partnership between housing, health and social care?

This report by CIH Cymru’ and CACHE focusses on what makes a good partnership between health, housing and social care.

Hospital to a Healthier Home

This Care & Repair Cymru paper provides an evaluation on the winter pressures pilot last year, linking health and housing for older people.

Review of key mechanisms in intergenerational practices, and their effectiveness at reducing loneliness/social isolation

This Uni of Sheffield review commissioned by the Welsh Government, takes a look at the key mechanisms in intergenerational practices, and their effectiveness at reducing loneliness and social isolation.

The Appropriate and Rightsizing Study

The first study of its kind in Wales, it investigated the appropriate design and delivery of housing provision for older people which would enable them to live happily, healthily, safely and independently in later life.

Living well for longer: The economic argument for investing in the health and wellbeing of older people in Wales

This report by the University of Bangor makes the economic argument for investing in prevention at different stages of the life course, in particular, older people.

Poverty in Wales 2018 - "Almost a quarter of people in Wales are trapped in poverty"

The latest findings from the Poverty in Wales 2018 report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation have shown that poverty is on the rise among pensioners, single people and couples with children - almost a quarter of people are trapped in poverty.

Inquiry into loneliness and isolation in Wales

A report looking into the extent and impact of loneliness and isolation of people in Wales, providing analysis and giving governmental recommendations.

Evaluation of Extra Care Housing in Wales

This report presents a comprehensive independent assessment of the current broke of extra care housing

Managing Better: First year report

The Managing Better service is a 3 year project, funded from the Welsh Government's Sustainable Social Services Third Sector Grant

It's Our Time: a Wales-wide programme

It's Our Time Wales celebrates the invaluable roles that older people play in our communities and champions the everyday heroes that contribute their time

Housing for older people in Wales: a sector review of sheltered housing

This report by IPC explores the current position with sheltered housing in Wales

Supporting People Data Linking Feasibility Project in Wales: final report

The final technical report from the Welsh Government: Explores the feasibility of using data linkage to evaluate the Supporting People programme. Draws particular attention in assessing the ways in...

The anatomy of resilience: helps and hindrances as we age

These reports from the Social Services Improvement Agency looks at the published evidence from Wales, the UK, and further afield on ageing and links to an 'anatomy of resilience' in Wales. The principal...

Supporting People Data Linking Feasibility Study: Emerging Findings Report

This bulletin from the Welsh Government presents emerging findings from a study designed to assess the feasibility of using the innovative method of data linking to deliver a quantitative component to...

Extra Care Housing in Wales: A state of the nation report

The supply of housing and the implications of an ageing population are two of the biggest challenges facing Wales. Wales is not alone - either in the UK or in western Europe - in facing those challenges....

Supporting the Independence of Older People: Are Councils Doing Enough?

This report from the Wales Audit Office examines whether councils are working effectively to support the independence of older people. It concludes that whilst the Welsh public sector recognises the...

The Case for Investing in Prevention: Housing

This is one in a series of short reports from Public Health Wales examining the case for investment in prevention activities. Each report includes a review of the literature which, aims to provide an...

Evaluating the Contribution the Supporting People Programme makes to Preventing and Tackling Homelessness in Wales - Feasibility Study

This PPIW feasibility study of the £124.5m Welsh Supporting People Programme specifically looks at the contribution of the Supporting People programme to tackling and preventing homelessness. It notes...

Housing for Older People in Wales: An Evidence Review

This report and accompany recommendation from the Public Policy Institute for Wales, commissioned by the Welsh Government, sets the scene for discussion on how the housing needs of an ageing population...

Supporting People services for Older People: Emerging Findings Report

This research by the Welsh Government explores the progress being made in response to the 2010 Aylward Review recommendation. This review stated that access to older people's services (provided as part...

Extra care health impact assessment - Tan y Fron, Llandudno

This paper by the Welsh Health Impact Assessment Support Unit reviewed the health impact on the wider community of a proposed extra care housing scheme being developed by Clwyd Alyn Housing Association,...

Sector wider survey 2014 in Wales

The findings of the first national survey of Welsh housing associations, published by CHC: revealed that 81% of tenants who participated were 'very' or 'fairly' satisfied with their landlord and their...

Independent Living Adaptations Review

This review was commissioned by the Welsh Government to improve the delivering and viability of adaptations in Wales for older and disabled people. At present, around £35 million is spend by local councils...

Welsh Housing Research Network e-briefing

The WHRN produce a quarterly briefing contains useful summaries and information on recent and planned research relating to housing in Wales.

A Place to Call Home? - A Review into the Quality of Life and Care of Older People living in Care Homes in Wales

Making sure that older people have the best quality of life is a key priority for the Older People's Commissioner for Wales. In this comprehensive Review of the care home sector, she exposes four key...

Cost comparison of supported living

Undertaken by the University of Swansea and published in 2013, the objectives of this project for the Welsh Government were to explore the following: What are the costs of receiving care and support...

Extra care: meeting the needs of fit or frail older people

Written by the University of Swansea's Centre for Innovative Ageing for the South East Wales Improvement Centre, the recently published research looked into the integration and management of complex...

Realistic evaluation of integrated health and social care for older people in Wales, to promote independence and wellbeing

This two year study by the University of Swansea for the Welsh Government (2011), highlights some potential difficulties and barriers to effective integration; discusses problems with the concepts, definitions...

Accommodation for older people in Wales: The foundations for the future

This 2007 research report published by the Welsh Assembly Government looked into the then current provision, category and distribution of sheltered housing and other specialised accommodation for older...

Good practice papers

In this section, we offer a selection of existing papers, briefings and other materials that showcase example of practice in developing innovative new housing for older people in Wales, as well as make best use of existing stock.

Disrepair: The causes and impact of poor housing

This report by Care & Repair Cymru highlights how addressing poor quality homes and investing in maintenance and repairs will reduce the pressure on healthcare services by ensuring that hazards to health such as falls risks, cold homes are resolved before they cause injury or illness.

Access Denied: Older people’s experiences of digital exclusion in Wales

This report from the Older People's Commissioner for Wales warns a growing number of older people in Wales are at risk of social exclusion and being left behind amid the increasing use of digital technology, and makes recommendations for action.

Housing and Health: A Good Practice Guide for NHS Wales

Phase 1 of the all-Wales Bevan Exemplar project called ‘Building Bridges Between Housing and Health’ has delivered a good practice guide which has the potential to promote discussion and reflective practice between housing and health partners.

Ready to go: Helpful information about what to expect when you’re ready to leave hospital

The Older People's Commissioner for Wales has developed a guide on hospital discharge for older people and their families, providing a range of helpful information about what older people should expect when they are ready to leave hospital.

State of older people's housing in Wales

Older people in Wales are facing a housing crisis. This Care & Repair Cymru report looks at the challenges, causes and solutions to a threat targeting our oldest homeowners.

Understanding Wales’ Ageing Population: Key Statistics

Standing Together Cymru: supporting older people's mental health and well-being through community communities

Published on St David’s Day by the Mental Health Foundation, this report evaluates the Standing Together Cymru project, the culmination of three years of work which adapted to meet the challenge of the Coivd-19 pandemic.

Living in Co-operative & Community-Led Housing during COVID

This research by the Wales Cooperative Centre’s Communities Creating Homes (CCH) programme looks at the experiences of co-operative and community-led housing schemes across Wales during the pandemic. It reveals how schemes have provided a supportive, safe environment for people through these unprecedented times.

Co-operative values and the strength of community through the pandemic

This Housing LIN guest blog by Claire White from Communities Creating Homes, the Wales hub for Community-Led Housing (CLH) previews the publication of their forthcoming research into how Welsh CLH residents have endured and survived the pandemic.

WLGA Pilot Sheltered Housing Improvement Toolkit

A flexible template to assist with reviewing services, identifying risk and developing an improvement plan to support local authorities and registered social landlords in improving their sheltered housing provision.

Why housing matters to health and care

This briefing by the Welsh NHS Confederation and Cymorth Housing Cymru provides an overview of the benefits of housing working with health and care and showcases examples where housing and health work collaboratively.

Digital Inclusion Guide for Health and Care in Wales

This new guide from the Welsh Government, NHS Wales, and the Wales Co-Operative Centre provides guidance on digital inclusion in Wales.

Adaptations Without Delay

This RCOT report, written by the Housing LIN, is intended to be used by practitioners and organisations across the UK who may be contacted by disabled and older people and their families who are seeking advice or support with home adaptations

Adapting housing for independent living

The Welsh Audit Office has released a report on adapting housing for older and disabled people.

Housing Associations and Mental Health support to tenants in Wales: Overview of Current Practice

This Community Housing Cymru report highlights examples of recent practice among housing associations in Wales, which benefits the mental health of members of the communities in which they work.

A decade of austerity in Wales? The funding pressures facing the NHS in Wales to 2025/26

This report by the Nuffield Trust reveals that funding for the Welsh NHS is being reduced in real terms whilst the demand pressures on acute and non-acute health services continue to rise. It predicts...

Health and housing

This report by Community Housing Cymru in partnership with Care & Repair Cymru and the Welsh NHS Confederation, 'Healthy Homes, Healthy Lives: Making the links between health and housing' (2014),...

Other tools

SHOP tag bottom left We are looking to adapt the ADASS/Housing LIN Strategic Housing for Older People (SHOP) Resource Pack and accompanying Analysis Tool (SHOP@) for our Welsh Housing LIN members. We will notify you of developments.

In the meantime, see our background information about SHOP and how the resources are being used in England (opens new window). The Housing LIN and Elderly Accommodation are looking to develop a similar online tool for commissioners and developers in Wales. For a free consultation, email: SHOP@housinglin.org.uk