What's the condition of your housing stock?
[edit]
[edit] Understanding the condition of your housing stock is key to ensuring occupiers are not suffering ill health as a result of poor conditions.
Where do we spend most of our time? At work? In the car? Most of us spend longer in our own home than anywhere else, and the condition of our homes therefore has an important effect on our health.
The sort of problems we might encounter in our homes includes issues of damp and mould which can exacerbate asthma, or cold homes which can result in cardiovascular and respiratory illness. Other problems in our homes could cause accidents such as falls or fires, and issues such as living in overcrowded conditions can cause psychological problems. These are just a few of the potential problems within our homes which are collectively known as category 1 hazards, based on the Government’s Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
Clearly, addressing these hazards and improving homes results in improvements in health and wellbeing, as identified in a BRE Trust report on the cost of poor housing which highlights potential savings to the NHS in England of more than £1.4 billion a year from dealing with the most pressing housing problems.
To understand the condition of their housing stock our local authority clients use BRE’s housing stock models to help understand the condition of the private sector housing within their local area. Our clients can use this information to improve their housing stock overall and promote health and wellbeing. For example, Watford Borough Council have used the stock model data to develop a policy to improve and maintain private sector housing standards, to promote health, wellbeing and sustainability in which available resources are targeted at those most in need. Our local authority clients can now visualise this data in maps within HSCD, BRE’s online system for delivering our stock model data.
Clients also share the housing stock model data with their Public Health experts, CCGs and social care teams to help them identify households potentially living in poor conditions which may affect the health of the occupiers. This means maximising the number of interventions undertaken and the health benefits which result.
It is also possible to use our housing stock model data to quantify the costs and benefits to the NHS (and to the wider society) of mitigating hazards within homes. These Health Impact Assessments are useful to demonstrate the cost effective nature of particular improvements when considering the wider impacts of hazards on health. For example, a cold home resulting in cardiovascular disease will have a cost to the NHS associated with treating that disease; but if the cold home can be treated very simply with an efficient boiler or cavity wall insulation, this quickly becomes a cost effective course of action.
Clients can also make use of our housing and health-related tools – the Housing Health Cost Calculator (HHCC) and the Excess Cold Calculator (XCC). The HHCC is one of a number of tools developed to provide local authorities with the information they need to drive up public health standards and reduce costs. It details the cost savings to the NHS and wider society gained by both enforcement and improvement strategies – and allows these to be authoritatively demonstrated. To view the tool click on HHCC and follow the instructions provided.
The XCC assists Environmental Health Practitioners and Technical Officers in the assessment of the Excess Cold hazard in dwellings. Users enter information about a dwelling and its occupants and the calculator provides estimated running costs and information on the adequacy of the heating system. This information can be used for many benefits including discussing works required with landlords. The tool is available online on a subscription basis. If you would like more information please bre.co.uk contact us or visit the Excess Cold Calculator Website.
If you would like to find out more about our housing and health services, please contact us via: [email protected]
This article was originally published on BRE Buzz on 30 May 2019. It was written by Fiona MacKenzie. You can see the original here.
--BRE Buzz
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles.
- BRE Buzz.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Housing Stock.
- The cost of poor housing to the NHS.
- The cost-benefit to the NHS arising from preventative housing interventions (FB82).
- The full cost of poor housing in Wales.
- The full cost of poor housing.
- The Housing Stock of The United Kingdom.
- The real cost of poor housing.
Featured articles and news
One of the most impressive Victorian architects. Book review.
RTPI leader to become new CIOB Chief Executive Officer
Dr Victoria Hills MRTPI, FICE to take over after Caroline Gumble’s departure.
Social and affordable housing, a long term plan for delivery
The “Delivering a Decade of Renewal for Social and Affordable Housing” strategy sets out future path.
A change to adoptive architecture
Effects of global weather warming on architectural detailing, material choice and human interaction.
The proposed publicly owned and backed subsidiary of Homes England, to facilitate new homes.
How big is the problem and what can we do to mitigate the effects?
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
A number of cool guides to help with the heat.
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.