UK ministers warned housing crisis puts plans for NHS and economy at risk Ministers have been warned that efforts to save the NHS and grow the economy will fail unless they tackle the housing crisis, as a damning report reveals millions of people are living in substandard homes that risk worsening their health. In total, 4.5 million people aged 50 or above with an existing health condition in England are living in poor-quality housing with one or more problems such as rising damp, rot or decay that may be making them even sicker, the Centre for Ageing Better analysis found. Of those, 1.7 million are aged 70 or over. Keir Starmer has promised to reduce NHS waiting times and make the UK the fastest-growing major economy by the end of Labour’s first term in government. Dr Carole Easton, the chief executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, a charity tackling inequalities in ageing, said its report exposed how the housing crisis was putting millions of older people with health conditions “in harm’s way”. “This is obviously terrible for those individuals who live in homes that carry a very real risk of making them sick, particularly when winter comes around. “Older people whose serious health conditions are made worse by their homes will require treatment, putting additional winter pressures on our health system. All could be averted if we tackled poor-quality housing with the urgency and priority it demands.” The report looked at people aged 50 and above with health conditions affected by substandard living conditions, including respiratory diseases, congestive heart failure, heart disease, neurological disease and lung conditions such as asthma. Housing problems identified included rising damp, water leaks, bad condensation, electrical or plumbing problems, rot and decay, being too cold in the winter, and structural issues. People aged 50 or over from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background and with a health condition were also twice as likely to have five or more problems with their housing compared with white people. Holly Holder, the deputy director for homes at the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “No one should have to live in a home that damages their health, yet it is the norm for far too many people in England today. By failing to address poor-quality homes we are limiting the lives of some of the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people. “We are calling on the government to fix this hidden housing crisis by delivering a national strategy to tackle poor-quality housing across all tenures and committing to halving the number of non-decent homes over the next decade.” A government spokesperson said: “Despite the challenging inheritance faced by this government, through our ‘Plan for Change’ we’re taking action to improve housing conditions across all tenures and ensure homes are decent, safe and warm – especially for the most vulnerable.” let us know your thoughts and FFM😊 #UKHousingCrisis #NHS #newsfeed #AssuredBID
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Health service needs “reform or die”? Will housing be given the same chance? The much beloved NHS is in the headlines again today and again, it’s another message of doom. I don’t know how far these foundations spread but there is a lot of them that need fixing. Reading the preamble this morning I found the briefed in key messages of particular interest: 🔺A&E is in an "awful state" - with long waits likely to be causing more deaths a year 🔺rising levels of illness are risking economic prosperity, with 2.8 million people unable to work because of poor health 🔺the UK has higher cancer mortality rates than other countries 🔺although hospital staff numbers have increased since the pandemic, the number of appointments and procedures hasn't because "patients no longer flow through hospitals as they should" 🔺the NHS has been starved of capital investment, meaning "crumbling buildings", mental health patients in "Victoria-era cells infested with vermin" and "parts of the NHS operating in decrepit portacabins" If you work in homelessness and this all sounds familiar then try the NHS related words to housing related word. 🔸Housing is in an "awful state" - with long waits likely to be causing more deaths a year 🔸rising levels of homelessness are risking economic prosperity, with 2.8 million people unable to work because of poor housing 🔸the UK has higher homelessness rates than other countries 🔸although housing staff numbers have increased since the pandemic, the number of properties and procedures hasn't because "homeless families no longer flow through temporary accommodation as they should" 🔸the social housing market has been starved of capital investment, meaning "crumbling buildings", homeless families in "Victoria-era cells infested with vermin" and "parts of the temporary accommodation operating in decrepit portacabins" Great to see the NHS getting the attention and investment it deserves. Time to get the housing market on the podium outside Number 10 and do the same for the hundreds of thousands of people facing homelessness.
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Excellent article in Housing Today on research conducted by BRE on behalf of The Centre for Ageing. If there wasn’t enough of a case for addressing this issue already, not only will decarbonisation of homes at scale help improve the health of millions but new research has found that as much as £1.5bn a year could be saved for the NHS and social care if the UK addresses its poor housing stock. Cold, damp, and mould cause illnesses in people over 50 that needlessly burden our healthcare system. Investment in removing those hazards could improve lives and save billions in formal care costs saved in the long term. Additionally, the London School of economics estimates the figure will almost double up to £2.8bn a year by 2048. On top of the money saved, approximately eight million lives would be changed through healthy, warm, and dry homes. Read the full story and breakdown of savings here: https://lnkd.in/eTq8i3KY Or, find out how we deliver this type of change across the UK by visiting the SBS website: https://lnkd.in/e4b9-vk2 #RetrofitDecarbonisation #NetZero #Sustainability #SocialHousing Housing Today
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Professor of Social Policy at University of Stirling and Co-founder and Creative Director of Socialudo
The cuts to aids and adaptations funding in Scotland flies directly against the wealth of evidence we have on how we support older people and disabled people across Scotland. I cannot tell you all how disappointed I am with the announced cuts. To be clear: Cuts to adaptations funding is a decision to leave people in situations where they are unsafe, or cannot bathe, or access a part of their home, or even leave their house. Aids and adaptations funding is essential to prevent health crises, support people after a health crisis and have homes that support changing health needs. Thank you Sally Thomas, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations for shouting out about this - the Scottish housing sector has been trying very hard to deliver accessible, safe homes but this needs investment. Thanks also Angela Currie, Craig Stirrat, Lorna Cameron, Jill Pritchard, Audrey Simpson, Age Scotland and more for highlighting all the challenges and impact on people and housing organisations in Scotland. Here is just some of our evidence and examples to outline why this is so essential: Making adaptations work for older people: https://lnkd.in/g6VtEGBD The 'fight' for adaptations: https://lnkd.in/emJsfBZG Adapting the Adaptations Process: https://lnkd.in/eQFdEkfm Accessible and Inclusive Housing in Scotland: https://lnkd.in/e6gFSDM2 Inclusive Living: ageing, adaptations and future-proofing homes: https://lnkd.in/e5C-4W23
Scottish Government warned over 'short-sighted' cut to housing association grants
heraldscotland.com
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Head of Operations, First Priority Housing Association. Supporting people with learning disabilities and complex needs to find a place to call home 🏡
Up to 388,100 supported housing "units" (homes) required to meet current demand. Taking into account demographic trends we need another 24% increase minimum by 2040 (490,200 units). Interesting reading this week following the release of the Supported Housing Review. Lots of challenges for all involved in understanding the supply and demand of provision locally and what the future need looks like. Whatever way it is cut, this part of the sector is hitting crisis point. There has to be a more harmonised approach involving all parties to deliver this much needed type of accommodation. The cost of not doing so: In our space a mental health bed is often the alternative for our tenants (unnecessarily in many cases). Approx cost £1500 per day, with an average inpatient stay of 4.9 years. A lack of community based housing provision the biggest barrier to discharge. Around 2500 people in the above situation at any one time, over that period equates to over £3.6 billion NHS spend. The business case is plain for anyone to see. Lets hope a new deal for Social Care and Supported Housing comes soon, with more integration, joined up thinking and ultimately one that puts the people in this situation at the heart of the decision making! https://lnkd.in/e-rdD6sk
Supported Housing Review 2023: Executive summary
gov.uk
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COO & Founder at Vector Homes | Host of the Defence Innovation Podcast | Dual-Use Technologies & VC | Ex EY-P Strategy
Fixing poor-quality homes could save the NHS and social care £1.5bn a year, according to new research. Improving housing standards is not just a matter of comfort; it's a critical public health issue. Investing in better homes can lead to significant savings for our healthcare system and enhance the wellbeing of countless individuals. Let’s prioritise quality housing for a healthier future. #Housing #PublicHealth #NHS #SocialCare #Investment #SustainableHousing
Fixing poor-quality homes could save the NHS and social care £1.5bn a year, research finds
housingtoday.co.uk
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It is good to have more NZ data on this. However, all the data, research and experts have been pointing to these outcomes for decades. Yet as a country we continue to be so backward when it comes to housing. We consistently place the cart before the horse and wonder why we don’t progress meaningfully on nearly any measure of health, productivity, education, and employment. Housing that is affordable, healthy, and secure is the key to unlocking meaningful and lasting improvements is nearly everything else. We simply can not expect to progress as a country if we do not first adequately house our population. This is not about ideology but pure and simple economics.
Paediatric and Emergency Doctor | Podcast host at Revolving Door Syndrome | Honorary Lecturer, School of Medicine
‘Over five years, hospitalisations fell by 44 percent, the number of nights spent at mental health units reduced by 63 percent, and there were 43 percent fewer criminal charges. Meanwhile, incomes grew, as did the number of months people paid tax.’ This is at the core of our productivity issue. No matter what we do in health, education, welfare and employment, it is all for nothing if people do not have a home. Housing security is absolutely vital, the rest is just a rounding error. You cannot provide quality healthcare or education for people who do not have a stable home. It is near impossible to keep a job if you are constantly having to move from place to place. These guys at the People’s Project in Hamilton have got it right. #housing #socialhousing #investment #productivity #health #publichealth #aotearoa #newzealand #policy #nzpol
Housing programme leads to 'impressive' long-term change in health and wellbeing
rnz.co.nz
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Director at CEAD Architects | Architect & Urban Designer with a focus on sustainable design, housing and community projects
Ageing Better’s new report found that by removing the most serious risks to people’s health and safety from the country’s poorest quality homes where the head of household is 55 or over would result in savings to the NHS of nearly £600 million per year. Nearly eight million people live in a dangerous home, approximately 2.6 million of whom are aged 55 and over. Older people and children are most vulnerable to the health consequences of living in a damp, cold, hazardous homes with millions experiencing respiratory conditions such as asthma; heart conditions; and falls in the home that have life-changing consequences. New research conducted for this report by the Building Research Establishment confirms that people aged 55 and over account for half of NHS expenditure related to poor-quality housing (£595 million per year is spent treating people aged 55 and over). This is despite only a third of non-decent homes in England being occupied by this age group. I remember when the Memorandum of Understanding between Local Gov, NHS and others was signed in 2018 growing from the Care Act requirements of 2015 - all to cement co-operation and funding to address this problem. It's so frustrating to so many involved in housing that, years later, so little is being done and still no coherent retrofit programme from Gov. This despite the cost and health savings being huge and so well founded. #ukhousing
Fixing poor-quality homes could save the NHS and social care £1.5bn a year, research finds
housingtoday.co.uk
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Fixing poor-quality homes could save the NHS and social care £1.5bn a year, research finds: Reserarch by the Building Research Establishment on behalf of the Centre for Ageing Better finds that investment in home improvements could help save public sector services billions per year #ukhousing #housing
Fixing poor-quality homes could save the NHS and social care £1.5bn a year, research finds
housingtoday.co.uk
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Deputy Director Planning & Building Quality GCSP & 3CBC
Interesting read
New research from Shelter and the National Housing Federation shows that building 90,000 social rented homes and providing people with a stable, affordable place to live would generate £31.4bn in societal benefits through: 📌 Higher employment – £8.9bn A stable home helps people to get and keep work, and reduces the long-term scarring effect that being homeless or in insecure housing can have on employment prospects, generating £8.9bn for the economy and a further £3.8bn in tax revenue. 📌 Lower benefit costs – £3.3bn Due to higher employment, yearly benefit claims would be cut by £1,218 per household, generating £3.3bn in savings over the long term. 📌 Improved healthcare – £5.2bn On average social homes have fewer health hazards and stable homes are linked to better wellbeing, generating £5.2bn through NHS savings. 📌 Reducing homelessness – £4.5bn More social homes would mean fewer people living in temporary accommodation and requiring homelessness assistance, saving local authorities £4.5bn. 📌 Reduced crime – £3.1bn People in inadequate housing are more likely to experience crime. Social homes lead to fewer police callouts and reduced cost of crime, generating savings of £3.1bn. 📌 Better life chances for children – £2.7bn Unstable homes can harm children by disrupting their education, which leads to lower economic contributions, increased crime, and greater use of public services. Reducing these disruptions would generate £2.7bn in savings. We firmly believe in the potential for place-based investment in real economy sectors, including housing, to improve both economic and social outcomes for left-behind communities across the UK. #SocialHousing #AffordableHousing #HousingCrisis #PlaceBased #ImpactInvesting #SocialHomes
The economic impact of building social housing
housing.org.uk
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New research from Shelter and the National Housing Federation shows that building 90,000 social rented homes and providing people with a stable, affordable place to live would generate £31.4bn in societal benefits through: 📌 Higher employment – £8.9bn A stable home helps people to get and keep work, and reduces the long-term scarring effect that being homeless or in insecure housing can have on employment prospects, generating £8.9bn for the economy and a further £3.8bn in tax revenue. 📌 Lower benefit costs – £3.3bn Due to higher employment, yearly benefit claims would be cut by £1,218 per household, generating £3.3bn in savings over the long term. 📌 Improved healthcare – £5.2bn On average social homes have fewer health hazards and stable homes are linked to better wellbeing, generating £5.2bn through NHS savings. 📌 Reducing homelessness – £4.5bn More social homes would mean fewer people living in temporary accommodation and requiring homelessness assistance, saving local authorities £4.5bn. 📌 Reduced crime – £3.1bn People in inadequate housing are more likely to experience crime. Social homes lead to fewer police callouts and reduced cost of crime, generating savings of £3.1bn. 📌 Better life chances for children – £2.7bn Unstable homes can harm children by disrupting their education, which leads to lower economic contributions, increased crime, and greater use of public services. Reducing these disruptions would generate £2.7bn in savings. We firmly believe in the potential for place-based investment in real economy sectors, including housing, to improve both economic and social outcomes for left-behind communities across the UK. #SocialHousing #AffordableHousing #HousingCrisis #PlaceBased #ImpactInvesting #SocialHomes
The economic impact of building social housing
housing.org.uk
