non-decent housing

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has responded to the Centre for Ageing Better and The King’s Fund joint report warning of the risks facing vulnerable people living in ‘non-decent’ housing this winter.

Published on the 22 September, the ‘Homes, health and COVID-19’ publication emphasises how poor quality homes may prove fatal to those living in non-decent conditions this winter, particularly stressing the dangers of excess cold and damp.

The report points to an analysis of data from the 2017 English Housing Survey conducted by the Centre for Ageing Better in March 2020 which estimates there are currently 4.3 million homes in England do not meet basic standards of decency.

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Worryingly, the analysis suggests that over 700,000 of these homes are headed by people aged 75 and over.

In its latest report, the two organisations warn that those particularly at risk if they contract COVID-19, such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, are also more likely to reside in non-decent homes which can increase their chances of falling ill.

Homes-health-and-COVID-19
Credit: Homes, health and COVID-19 report 2020

This may be exacerbated in the event of a winter lockdown, adds the report.

In response to the warning and call to ensure at-risk groups have the support they need to make homes safer, the government has stressed immediate measures are being taken.

“We are committed to protecting the public and are working hard to improve the quality of housing across the country,” commented a spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

“We have taken action to provide councils with powers to deal with dangerous damp in privately rented homes, and have empowered social and private renters with the rights necessary to take their landlords to court should they fail to provide decent living conditions.

“We have also introduced Green Homes Grants worth up to £10,000 to help cover energy efficiency improvements, meaning hundreds of thousands of homes could be warmer and safer this winter.

“Additionally we will soon publish the Social Housing White Paper, which will set out further measures to empower tenants and boost the quality of social housing.”

According to the department, additional measures introduced include the passing of the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2019 – empowering social and private tenants to take their landlords to court.

In addition, the government highlights that it has announced a comprehensive review of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System to ensure it properly reflects the physical and psychological harm caused by poor standards.

“We recognise the increased importance of decent homes at this time, and will continue to work with councils to support them in tackling poor standards and supporting vulnerable people,” finished the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

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https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/non-decent-housing.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/non-decent-housing-150x150.jpgCalvin BarnettCoronavirus NewsCOVID-19 Sector NewsGovernment & Local AuthoritiesHousingNewsroomSector NewsThird SectorCentre for Ageing Better,COVID-19,English Housing Survey 2017,green Homes Grants,housing,lockdown,MHCLG,Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government,non-decent housing,pandemic,Social Housing White Paper,The King's Fund,winterA spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has responded to the Centre for Ageing Better and The King’s Fund joint report warning of the risks facing vulnerable people living in ‘non-decent’ housing this winter. Published on the 22 September, the ‘Homes, health and COVID-19’ publication emphasises...News, views & products for mobility, access and independent living professionals