Hot off the press: HLINks – our essential sector news, including updates on COVID-19, new tech findings, two great new Housing LIN blogs, and so much more
Jeremy talks….
Welcome to Jeremy talks and my weekly piece to audio to coincide with the Housing LIN's free weekly bulletin, HLINks, week ending 7 August 2020.
Usually in August we have a news 'holiday' and there is a summer break from HLINks for the whole month. This year, with Covid-19 still impacting on our daily lives, we will be reporting throughout August and capturing relevant sector news. We recognise the importance of keeping you informed and the information is certainly unabated. It’s been another busy week!
On the national stage, the government published its long awaited Planning White Paper. The measures outlined are a green light for housebuilders to construct new housing within certain confines; namely, on sites designated for growth. Despite lobbying with other sector bodies for more favourable planning conditions for housing an ageing population, the paper did not propose anything specifically to boost planning for accessible homes for an ageing population, although they do invite suggestions on how best to meet the needs of diverse groups and to meet equalities legislation.
It also released its updated Covid-19 guidance on supported living. It builds on the previous advice to supported living providers and is primarily for supported living settings, but many of the principles are applicable to extra care housing for older people. It also references the resource on our Coronavirus Info Hub.
And staying with government announcements, the NHS' 2020/21 People Plan was issued this week. It focuses largely on workforce issues to support training and learning in our health and care services in a more integrated way, including the use of digital; for example, for remote assessments. However, while home based care is acknowledged, disappointingly, there is no mention of housing or multi-disciplinary working with our sector. So much for integration!
In other news, In other news, I was interviewed by BrouHappy on behalf of Ian Williams Ltd for an exciting new series of podcasts that delve into social housing. I shared my thoughts on affordable housing for older people, gave examples of designing for ageing and looked into my crystal ball on what the future of social housing could be, especially through the lens of housing for older and disabled adults.
We also put the spotlight on technology with the publication of the findings of our joint survey with Appello. The resulting paper is the first that will be coming out in the coming weeks. It makes interesting reading and evidences the rapid adoption of digital in our sector and commitment to transform services.
We also released two guest blogs. One on value of housing the homeless during the pandemic by Dr Rachel Manning at the Warwick Business School, and continuing our look at HAPPI balcony designs from last week's blog, the other is on the use of public and private space under lockdown, by architect, Stuart Carr.
In this week’s HLINks you can also read our curated round-up of other relevant news and events on later life living through the lens of homes and communities, health and social care, design and technology, and planning matters. There is also a new survey for you to take part in, in partnership with the Workhome Project. This is seeking your feedback on working from home in social housing and how your organisation has responded in the light of Covid-19. Take part by Friday, 28 August 2020.
Check all of this out in our latest weekly bulletin on our website or register online to receive our alerts and other notifications of your choice sent direct to your inbox.
And remember, if you would like to talk to us about any matters highlighted, share learning about your work and/or require our expert advice and guidance, email ‘Jeremy talks’ at: info@housinglin.org.uk
You can also listen to Jeremy talks… here
Best wishes and stay connected and be safe,
Jeremy
New resources from the Housing LIN
Appello Survey Findings
The findings of the research undertaken by Appello, a leading digital, technology-enabled care service (TECS) provider, supported by the Housing LIN, paints a promising picture for the future of digital care technologies with 74% of housing providers claiming that their requirements for wellbeing technology have changed as a result of the pandemic.
The results of a survey of 120 senior executives from providers of supported, sheltered and retirement housing which are being published in a series of reports from Appello, found that 90% of those surveyed planned to utilise technology further to support residents who may have to self-isolate or shield as a result of the pandemic.
Guest Blog - Homelessness & Covid-19: A Trigger for Values Change?
This Housing LIN guest blog by Dr Rachel Manning, Research Fellow, at Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, considers the value of housing the homeless against the backdrop of Covid-19 and health inequalities.
Guest Blog - Later Living Housing Design: Learning from COVID-19
In his guest blog for the Housing LIN, Stuart Carr of architects Inglis & Care, anticipates that Covid19 will drive housebuilding changes of various kinds.
Coronavirus Update
The government has refreshed its guidance on supported living. It builds on the previous advice to supported living providers and is primarily for supported living settings, but many of the principles are applicable to extra care housing for older people. It may also be a useful resource for the wider supported housing sector, such as retirement or sheltered housing. There is also reference to the Housing LIN Coronavirus Practice Briefing No4.
A selection of other new government advice guidelines and plans that are relevant for our sector include:
- Updated Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19
- Third phase of NHS response to COVID-19
- Breaking chains of COVID-19 transmission to help people return to more normal lives: developing the NHS Test and Trace service
Other relevant COVID-19 news include:
- Habinteg - New shielding guidance from 1 August
- Updated COVID-19: guidance for hostel services for people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping
- Local restrictions: areas with an outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19)
And remember, check out on our Coronavirus Info Hub for a range of Housing LIN practice briefings for the sector and links to other useful information and websites.
Also, post or reply to questions on our discussion forum. It allows you to share information, raise issues and ask questions to solve a tricky issue. For example, can you share your organisation’s COVID-19 risk plan in preparation for the 2nd wave or information about how you are engaging with residents?
Have your say
Take part in this Workhome Project survey on working from home
As a founding member of the Workhome Project, the Housing LIN is delighted to collaborate with the project to help find out more about you and your organisation’s experience of home-based work during Covid-19 for staff and residents. Please take a few moments to complete this important sector survey. The deadline is Friday, 28 August 2020 at 4pm.
Housing, Community, Disability, and Ageing
- MHCLG announcement: £1.3 billion investment to deliver homes, infrastructure and jobs
- Cogitatio research paper: Inclusive Social Lettings Practice: Opportunities to Enhance Independent Living for Disabled People
- Cogitatio research paper: Creating Community and Belonging in a Designated Housing Estate for Disabled People
- NHE article: Supporting complex needs and providing a caring environment
- LGA: Improving the private rented sector: A guide for councils
- Placemaking Resource: Designing homes and neighbourhoods post-COVID
Opinion pieces and blogs:
- Ian Williams Ltd podcast: Social Housing, branding and imagery with Jeremy Porteus
- Paddock Johnson Partnership paper: Creating world class housing for an ageing population
- Knight Frank article: Rising investment to underpin increase in development of seniors housing
- Daily Telegraph article: Senior housing crunch looms as population ages
- ILC-UK blog: The age of isolation: Thoughts on social connections, later life, and COVID-19
- Cambridge University Press: Loneliness, social dislocation and invisibility experienced by older men who are single or living alone: accounting for differences across sexual identity and social context
- Which? article: Green Homes Grant details revealed: could you get £5,000 home improvement vouchers?
- CACHE blog: Addressing poor quality housing in older age
Design, Construction and Technology
- Gov.uk: New reliefs from Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings and Stamp Duty Land Tax for housing co-operatives
- Design Council feature: What public engagement teaches us about housing design
- Alcuris White Paper: The Shift and Impact of Next Generation Telecare
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: Connecting at Local Level: Exploring Opportunities for Future Design of Technology to Support Social Connections in Age-Friendly Communities
Opinion pieces and blogs
- Wall Street Journal article: Why Canes and Walkers Are Getting a New Look
- SWAHSN blog: Using telephone and video tools for GP consultation in care homes
Health and care
- We are the NHS: People Plan for 2020/21 – action for us all
The DHSC has published the NHS people Plan, which sets out what NHS staff can expect from their leaders and from each other. It includes a new £10 million fund for clinical placements for nurses, midwives and Allied Health Professionals to support employers in educating and training the next generation of professionals.
Opinion piece and blog
Dementia
- Alzheimer’s Society research: Lockdown isolation causes shocking levels of decline for people with dementia, who are rapidly losing memory, speech, and ability to dress and feed themselves
- Cogitatio research paper: “It Is Part of Belonging”: Walking Groups to Promote Social Health amongst People Living with Dementia
Planning
Government launches a Planning White Paper
Much trailed as getting Britain to "build, build, build", the measures outlined are a green light for housebuilders to construct new housing within certain confines; namely, on sites designated for growth. Despite lobbying with other sector bodies for more favourable planning conditions for housing an ageing population, the paper did not propose anything specifically to boost planning for accessible homes for an ageing population. However, we will be responding to the consultation and make the case for planning for better quality HAPPI homes for all.
Planning age-friendly and accessible homes
The Centre for Ageing Better is seeking to learn more about the current demand for accessible homes and what councils are doing to secure new homes that enable us to remain living independently as we get older. They would like to understand if there are barriers preventing councils from developing accessible new homes and what these are.
Planning tracker
Older People’s Care Development – Local Development Plan Monitoring
In association with 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
Welsh government guidance on COVID-19 can be found at: https://gov.wales/coronavirus
Scotland
Scottish government guidance on COVID-19 can be found at https://www.gov.scot/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance/
In other news:
- University of Stirling research paper: Housing and Ageing: Let’s Get Serious - “How Do You Plan for the Future while Addressing Immediate Chaos?”
- University of the Highlands paper: Creating Community and Belonging in a Designated Housing Estate for Disabled People
Forthcoming Events
Getting ready for VJ Day on 15 August – Get engaged
Saturday, 15 August 2020 is the 75th anniversary of VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day), marking both the surrender of Japan and the end of the fighting during the Second World War. We have been approached by the National Memorial Arboretum, who along with The Royal British Legion, are playing leading roles in the commemorations. They are looking for individuals from the Second World War generation who are interested in sharing their stories and memories from VJ Day. It would like to hear a range of stories from those who served in the Asia Pacific region and their loved ones, to those who marked VJ Day at home.
Housing LIN Events
Watch the highlights from our 3Rs conference with Foundations and ADASS
Other events
In light of the coronavirus outbreak we have cancelled all our upcoming regional meetings and training courses until further notice. We are currently exploring how to hold these events online, so watch this space! In the meantime, we are pleased to be involved/support the following virtual events:
- Appello - Meeting expectations with digital telecare (various dates)
- Healthy City Design 2020: International Congress & Exhibition (12 to 13 October)
- HRF Academic Conference - Happy Homes, Happy Society? (12 to 13 November)
Next week
And next week, following the refreshed Supported Living guidance, we are looking forward to releasing our updated Covid-19 Practice Briefings on specialist housing and the other on housing and dementia. In addition, we will be featuring two new guest blogs. One on homelessness and the use of temporary accommodation and the other reflecting the lead up to the VJ celebrations.
The Housing LIN would like to thank Willmott Dixon for their support in producing this newsletter.