Greater co-operation between social care providers and housing organisations is being urged to provide a more integrated way to meet social care demands.

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has released a new report that recommends better partnerships between the two areas of work. Titled "Transforming housing, health and care - making it happen", the report was supported by care institutions such as the Department of Health, and the representative body for social care management jobs, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS).

The report predicts there will be a dramatic increase in the numbers of people requiring public sector housing and social care in the future. By 2036, it predicts that the number of people over 85 will rise nearly 200% over the next 26 years - increasing demand on health, care and housing systems in an unprecedented manner.

CIH says that only this demand can only be met through increasing co-operation between those working in housing management roles and those working on the front-line of social care jobs, such as residential support workers.

Sarah Davis, senior policy and practice officer at CIH, said: "Our report demonstrates that good housing plays an integral role in ensuring people stay healthy, active and independent as long as possible"
"With the growing and increasingly ageing population and greater demands on tighter public spending, we need to transform the way we plan for, commission and deliver services that impact on people's health and well-being."