Housing body calls for improved partnership working

A new report from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has said that better partnership working could ease the growing demands on social care services in the UK.

The not-for-profit body said that local government representatives, health trusts and care providers should attempt to work alongside housing organisations with a greater degree of integration.

According to the CIH, local councils should nurture links with housing, health and social care professionals to meet the challenges of the future.

"We need to transform the way we plan for, commission and deliver services that impact on people's health and wellbeing," commented Sarah Davis, senior policy and practice officer at the organisation.

She also said that good housing plays "an integral role in ensuring people stay healthy, active and independent as long as possible".

According to the report, every care home admission costs £40,000 per year and the number of UK residents aged 85 and over is on course to reach 2.3 million by 2036.

CIH chief executive Sarah Webb recently voiced fears that the recession could "derail" recent efforts to improve key areas of the country's housing policy.