We are writing to express our concern at the lack of priority given to conditions in much existing housing, particularly that in the private sector. Housing that is expected to provide homes for decades to come. There is a need for central government and local government as well as the NHS to recognize the importance of housing to our well-being and to act and invest accordingly. The Marmot Review highlighted the contribution of better housing to reducing health inequalities
A Report from the independent Building Research Establishment this week (The Real Cost of Poor Housing) has reported that 4.8 million homes in England (22%) have what are called category 1 hazards – where the most serious defects can lead to serious health risks, even death (for example from excess cold and falls). More than four and a quarter million of these are in the private sector, owner occupied or rented. Such hazards, it is estimated, cost the NHS £600 million per year but there are additional costs to occupants and to society from loss of earnings for example, at £1.5 billion per year. Yet the average cost to remedy these hazards is about £4,000 (there is considerable variation). The cost of a hip replacement on the NHS is about £4,500.
We call upon the relevant government departments to address the issue of unhealthy housing as a priority, and hope that any incoming government will tackle what is a national disgrace. It is clear that prevention is better and more cost effective for us all, than cure.
Stephen Battersby
President, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
Howard Farrand
President, Chartered Institute of Housing