The full cost of poor housing in Wales
The full cost of poor housing in Wales was written by Simon Nicol and Helen Garrett and published by the BRE Trust in 2019. It is intended to help to promote health and wellbeing, and make the case for better quality housing.
The report is an update of the original ’Cost of Poor Housing in Wales’ analysis using the latest profiles of housing conditions across Wales and updating the methodology in line with the more recent The Full Cost of Poor Housing report to reflect improved understanding of poor housing impacts.
It summarises the results of research commissioned by the BRE Trust, Public Health Wales (PHW) and the Welsh Government to provide estimates of the cost of poor housing to the NHS in Wales. It uses 2017 Welsh Housing Conditions Survey (WHCS) data and the revised annual NHS treatment cost methodology.
The key findings are:
- In 2017, the total number of dwellings with any Category 1 hazard (poor homes) in Wales was estimated to be 238,000, 18% of the total housing stock.
- The most common Category 1 hazards were those relating to falls in the home and the consequences of living in cold housing.
- The cost to reduce the hazards in these homes to an acceptable level is estimated to be £2,455 per home - a total cost of £584 million for the whole stock.
- If remedial works were undertaken up-front to mitigate these Category 1 hazards, it is estimated there would be a benefit to the NHS of £95 million per year.
- Remedial works to mitigate Category 1 hazards would pay for themselves in reduced NHS costs within 6 years. The costs of improving cold homes are some of the most expensive, but also the most effective in reducing costs to the NHS.
- These costs represent first year treatment costs to the NHS alone, following an accident or illness related to housing. The annual cost to the NHS represents around 10% of the full economic cost to society of leaving people in unhealthy housing in Wales, which is estimated at £1bn per year.
- The payback to society if all remedial work could be undertaken ‘up-front’ would be around six months.
You can download the report here.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- A measure of net well-being that incorporates the effect of housing environmental impacts.
- BRE articles.
- Creating strong communities – measuring social sustainability in new housing development.
- Decent Homes for Ageing Well.
- Decent homes standard.
- Quantifying the health benefits of the Decent Homes programme FB 64.
- The cost-benefit to the NHS arising from preventative housing interventions (FB82).
- The cost of poor housing to the NHS.
- The full cost of poor housing.
- The Housing Stock of The United Kingdom.
- The real cost of poor housing.
- What's the condition of your housing stock?
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.