HLINks: Covid-19 update, new Housing LIN blogs, resources, and news from the housing sector
There is a lot happening in the UK right now, and it feels like the situation is changing from minute to minute. We know many of you will be working to mitigate and contain the current coronavirus outbreak and to support those affected by it. The Housing LIN will continue to work to keep our members updated on any aspect of the ongoing outbreak which affects housing. See our Business Continuity statement below.
This week we published three new blogs looking at the future of housing in the next decade, which you can find out more about below. And we have our usual roundup of news and resources from the housing, health, and care sectors.
Covid-19 Update
We are currently monitoring government advice and have uploaded relevant guidance on residential care settings, supported living and home care on the News page on our website. We are also working on creating a dedicated page to capture sector advice and to capture any significant changes in the advice being given.
Care Funding
- Department of Health and Social Care: £2.9 billion funding to strengthen care for the vulnerable - UK Government announces funding, including help for patients return home from hospital.
Housing LIN Annual Conference 2020 Update
We are currently in discussions with the venue for our Annual Conference to hold the event later this year. We are hampered by current government guidelines, but our priority is the health and wellbeing of us all. We will notify members once we have finalised arrangements.
Stay Networked with the Housing LIN – Our Business Continuity
All Housing LIN staff are now working from home, but will continue to work. We will be updating our website, and we will continue to keep our members informed. You can read more about the measures we are taking to ensure business continuity in this statement from Jeremy Porteus.
Housing LIN Blogs
Influencing the local planning policy background for older people’s housing
Following last week’s 2020 budget and the announcement of a forthcoming planning white paper, Planning for the Future, Tetlow King Planning’s John Sneddon writes for the Housing LIN about how local authorities make planning decisions when considering new developments for older people, and the importance of local planning policies versus national policies.
Creating a great day at work
Happy people are more motivated and more productive, but how we do we create a working environment where people can feel happy.
In this new guest blog for the Housing LIN, Chris Smith, Executive Director of Service Delivery and Development, Thirteen, writes about how the changes that organisations can make in order to ensure that employees can have a great day at work.
Technology Enabled Care in the 2020s
Tunstall Health’s Managing Director, Gavin Bashar, writes about how technology will be used in care settings in the future.
Technology will allow us to deliver more person-centred care, to deliver more proactive care models, and greater integration of care services.
Housing, Community, Disability, and Ageing
- MHCLG: The government has announced a ban on all evictions from social and privately rented accommodation.
- Office for National Statistics: Living longer: implications of housing tenure in later life – This new report from the ONS highlights the problems facing older people in the private rented sector.
- Centre for Ageing Better: Doddery but dear: examining age-related stereotypes
- Chartered Institute of Housing: Together we can make a real difference
- Financial Times: Inside architect Sarah Wigglesworth’s age-proofed home (Subscription required)
- Premier Construction News: ENGIE begins work on £15 million Extra Care scheme in Cumbria
Homelessness
- Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government: £3.2 million emergency support for rough sleepers during coronavirus outbreak
Design and Technology
- The Global Centre for Modern Ageing: Ageing in the right place - An Australian perspective This report examines the physical impact of ageing, and how home adaptations can allow an older person to stay at home.
- Motionspot: Sue’s future proof bathroom – A short piece from Motionspot describing adaptations that can be made to bathrooms.
- BSG Ageing Issues: COVID-19 vs Social Isolation: the Impact Technology can have on Communities, Social Connections and Citizens
- TSA: TEC Explainer Films resource for frontline workers – A series of short films explaining how technology enabled care can support those with physical needs.
Health and Care
- Public Health England: Public health grants to local authorities: 2020 to 2021 - The public health allocations and monetary conditions for local authorities to improve health in local populations.
Planning
- Older People’s Care Development – Local Development Plan Monitoring - In association with the Tetlow King Planning, this document monitors current local authority planning consultations that may be of interest for those seeking to develop housing for older people. The tracker is updated fortnightly.
Wales
- Community Housing Cymru: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Housing Associations - a guide (PDF)
Events
Forthcoming Events
In light of the coronavirus outbreak we are cancelling all our upcoming regional meetings and training courses. We are investigating whether it will be possible for these events to be held online. Watch this space! If you have already booked a place on one of these events we will contact you directly via email.
Next Week
To coincide with Intergenerational Living Week next week, we have a guest blog by Pozzoni Architecture’s Eleanor McCallum. We are also publishing the 3rd edition of our ever-popular extra care housing design factsheet (no. 6) by PRP Architects.
With Thanks
The Housing LIN would like to thank Willmott Dixon for their support in producing this newsletter. Stay safe!