ABSTRACT
The connection between housing and health has been recognised for well over a hundred years, with a housing policy emerging from attempts by Victorian environmental health activists to address urban slums. Housing and support is focused on people who are especially vulnerable (physically or mentally) and this chapter examines the part housing has played in the development of community care and the growing awareness of the need for collaboration between agencies. One of the major contributions social housing has made to the care of people has been through special schemes. From the 1960s local authorities have provided housing specifically for older people, such as sheltered housing, and the majority of mobility housing is owned by local authorities. Recent changes in the structure of government and voluntary organisations have influenced the nature of inter-agency collaboration and new working relationships. Health services also have a key role to play in allocating social housing and assessing the appropriateness of housing and support.
