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Rishi Sunak's government should halve the number of moldy and dangerous homes within the next 10 years to stop a scandal where poor-quality buildings are damaging people's health, a coalition of charities has said.
Nine charities, including St John's Ambulance and the Runnymede Trust, are calling for national action against cold, damp homes. Research shows that one in four people are worried about the impact of an unsuitable home on their family's health.
Eight million people currently live in 3.7 million unsafe homes that are cold, in need of repair or in serious danger, a charity analysis of data from the British Housing Survey found. .
One in three people in the private rented sector surveyed by charity The Center for Aging Better said they were worried about how their living conditions were affecting their health. This has increased to almost 2 to 1 housing association tenants.
More than half (54%) of the more than 2,000 people surveyed said it had become more difficult to keep their homes warm in the past two years. Additionally, two in five (39%) said it has become more difficult to keep their home in good repair.
The same study found that three-quarters of UK parliamentary constituencies are dominated by energy inefficient homes.
Nine charities are calling for the number of unsafe homes to be halved and for the creation of 'Good Home Hubs'. These shops will offer advice on home repairs, such as where to find reliable contractors and how to improve energy efficiency.
In an attempt to crack down on unsafe homes, Leveling Secretary Michael Gove will require landlords to inspect unsafe properties within 14 days, start repairs within a further seven days and make emergency repairs within 24 hours. proposed new rules.
Landlords who fail to meet deadlines could be sued under the plan.
independent person revealed last year that one in eight private rental properties could pose a life-threatening health risk. Approximately 615,000 properties had significant deficiencies that put residents' health at risk in 2022, including moisture, mold, contaminants, structural defects, and fire hazards.
Henry Gregg, External Affairs Director at Asthma + Lung UK, said he supported the campaign because “we know that respiratory infections can thrive in cold, poorly ventilated and humid environments”. He said that
Barnardo's CEO Lynn Perry said over the past 12 months more than 200,000 families had seen their children's beds and bedding go moldy because they couldn't afford to heat the house.
Dr Carol Easton, chief executive of the Center for Aging Better, said: “No one should live in an unsafe home that threatens their health or the health of their family. Poor quality housing seriously harms the health of millions of children, adults and pensioners.”
We have reached out to the Level Up Department for comment.
