HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health, and Social Care Latest News

News Highlights

APPG Inquiry into Regeneration of Outdated Sheltered Housing reconvenes for third Inquiry meeting

We're thrilled to announce the third meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Housing and Care for Older People Inquiry into the Regeneration of Outdated Sheltered Housing, which took place at Millbank House in the House of Lords on Monday 22nd January 2024.

The meeting welcomed representatives from Parliament as well as speakers from Wrexham County Borough Council, Leeds City Council and Greenhill Housing Association. 

P+HS Architects Sponsors Housing LIN

Meeting the housing needs of older people within our communities has been a priority at P+HS Architects for decades.

That's why we're delighted to announce P+HS Architects as a new Housing LIN sponsor, collaborating with them to promote high-quality accommodation for older people and people with a learning disability.

Housing ombudsman in England calls to re-establish link between housing and health

The housing ombudsman in England is calling for an independent royal commission “to reimagine the future of social housing” and re-establish the link between housing and health.

Richard Blakeway, who handles thousands of tenants’ complaints about mistreatment, disrepair, discrimination and squalor, said that parts of the social housing sector had reached breaking point, with residents desperate and neglected.

Resource Roundup

TAPPI Cast - 26 January

Welcome to TAPPI Cast, our weekly update on the 'Technology for our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation' (TAPPI) project which aims to improve the way technology is used in housing and care for older people.

Collaborative Housing and Innovation in Care (CHIC) Project Report

The Collaborative Housing and Innovation in Care (CHIC) research project - funded by the National Institute of Health Research School for Social Care Research - shares how collaborative housing might help meet the changing care needs of older people.

This report brings to a close a 30-month project involving research partners, the University of Bristol, LSE and Housing LIN. 

The long journey home: understanding and improving the supported housing system for people living with mental illness

This report from Rethink Mental Illness aims to get to grips with the challenges and barriers that people with severe mental illness face as they navigate their time in supported housing. 

It identifies five enablers, changes to policy or ways of working that show potential for delivering a better system.

No place for older renters: How the geography of older private and social renters has changed

This report from Independent Age brings together analysis to better understand the situation of older renters.

It found that the distribution of older social and private renters is not equal across England, and suggests that the housing crisis is leading to a greater concentration of older renters in areas of deprivation.

Key Skills for Housing Adaptations: A Workbook for Occupational Therapists and Students

This new book delves into the vital role occupational therapists play in helping people with additional needs adapt their homes so they can improve their quality of life.

The book is intended as a comprehensive and essential tool for both new and seasoned occupational therapists looking to make a positive impact on clients' home lives.

Existing Housing Need in Scotland: Final Report

A report commissioned by housebuilder body Homes for Scotland (HFS) finds that previous estimates of housing need, calculated through the Scottish government’s Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) tool, have significantly underestimated how many households are facing housing hardship.

Expert Insights

Unpacking the impact of the revised NPPF on housing delivery

Mark Slater, Design Director at WWA (West Waddy Archadia), highlights relevant key changes to the recently revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and provides a view of how they may impact the delivery of all forms of housing.

Becoming a leader and daring to dream

Linsey Butler, Community Safety Officer at Anchor, reflects on her experience with the Future Leaders Programme and how her own views of leadership have changed as she's been encouraged to dare to dream.

Linsey with also be speaking at this year's Housing LIN Summit - A Festival of Ideas in a session titled Cultivating Leadership: Inspiring the Next Wave of Talent and Future Leaders. 

Effective Leadership

Amy Sims, Sheltered Housing Team Leader at Caerphilly County Borough Council, reflects on her experience with the Future Leaders Programme and how communication is key, whatever your leadership style.

Amy with also be speaking at this year's Housing LIN Summit - A Festival of Ideas in a session titled Cultivating Leadership: Inspiring the Next Wave of Talent and Future Leaders. 

Member Spotlight

‘They don’t just stay in a room waiting to die’: new buildings giving older people beauty, freedom and dignity

This article shares an experimental village in France for people with Alzheimer’s that exemplifies the trend for architects to use their skills to improve the wellbeing of people nearing the end of life.

It references the John Morden Centre in Blackheath, south-east London – a day care centre for residents of a retirement community by MAE Architects (and upcoming Housing LIN Case Study), and Appleby Blue in nearby Bermondsey, a “21st-century almshouse” by Witherford Watson Mann.

Dates For Your Diary

Housing LIN events:

• Housing LIN Summit 2024 - A Festival of Ideas from 26th February to 1st March 2024

Other events supported by Housing LIN:

• Providing homes for people with learning disability and autism needs, Wed 31 Jan 2024 at 11.00pm - 12.30pm
• Supported housing and mental wellbeing: a core role for ICSs Tickets, Fri 2 Feb 2024 at 11:00 | Eventbrite
• Help older homeowners to improve their homes, Thurs 22 Feb at 11am - 12:30pm

Thank you Tunstall Healthcare

The Housing LIN would like to thank Tunstall Healthcare for its sponsorship of our news pages. This, along with this newsletter, enables us to bring the latest news and information on housing with care and technology matters to our members.