0
0
Published: 18 December 2024
A groundbreaking report from the UCL Institute of Health Equity (IHE), released on December 17, underscores the profound influence housing has on health and well-being. Titled Building Health Equity: The Role of the Property Sector in Improving Health, the report reveals how the quality, affordability, and availability of housing directly impact physical and mental health across the UK.
The report calls for urgent collaboration between the property sector and governments to prioritize health, well-being, and environmental sustainability in housing policies and development. It highlights the stark consequences of the UK’s housing crisis, including its links to rising health inequalities and economic costs.
The Housing Crisis and Health Impacts
The report paints a concerning picture of the housing landscape:
- Temporary Accommodation Crisis: A record 150,000 children in England live in temporary housing, a 14.7% increase over the past year. Frequent moves disrupt schooling, reducing educational attainment and future life expectancy.
- Economic Costs: Housing-related health issues cost society £18.5 billion annually, including £1.4 billion in NHS expenses to treat preventable conditions like lung and heart diseases. Without intervention, economic inactivity due to sickness could rise to 4.3 million people by 2029, up from 2.8 million today.
Proposed Solutions for a Healthier Housing Sector
The IHE report outlines a path forward, urging all stakeholders to prioritize health equity in housing development. Key recommendations include:
- Boosting Affordable Housing Supply: Building diverse housing types in areas that meet local needs, with collaboration between investors, housing associations, and government to secure long-term funding and subsidies.
- Healthy Homes: Ensuring homes are energy-efficient, safe, and accessible, with good air quality and designs that accommodate older adults and those with disabilities.
- Community Infrastructure: Providing access to healthcare, education, green spaces, and reliable public transport to promote well-being.
- Fostering Social Cohesion: Supporting community engagement, local business opportunities, and neighborhood-building activities to enhance mental and social health.
Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Director of the IHE, emphasized the link between housing and health:
“If our homes do not provide security, safety, and belonging, good health is not possible. Addressing the housing crisis requires more than increasing supply—it demands a focus on quality, affordability, and the communities these homes support.”
A Call to Action for the Property Sector
The report highlights the pivotal role of the property sector in tackling health inequality. Pete Gladwell, Group Social Impact & Investment Director at Legal & General, stressed the sector’s potential to create healthier communities:
“Integrating health and environmental considerations into housing strategies can transform millions of lives. Equitable access to high-quality housing forms the foundation for a healthier, longer life.”
Next Steps
The IHE envisions an ambitious agenda to embed health equity into housing development. It calls for pilot projects in the UK’s Marmot Places—over 50 local authorities already committed to reducing health inequalities. These pilots would demonstrate best practices, which could be scaled nationwide.
As the UK plans to deliver 1.5 million homes over five years, the report urges all stakeholders—governments, developers, and investors—to align their efforts toward creating homes and communities that promote health, well-being, and sustainability.
For more information, visit the UCL Institute of Health Equity’s website.
