A new online resource to show local authorities the impact housing conditions can have on physical and mental health has been launched today.
Healthy Housing Resource, developed by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and Public Health England (PHE) aims to reduce health inequalities and demand on local services.
The website will enable housing professionals spot the signs of poor housing, examples of best practice and guidance on how to develop a a housing and health profile for their local areas to inform decision-making.
Professor Kevin Fenton, national director of health and wellbeing at PHE, said: ‘One in five homes present a risk to health and wellbeing, both mental and physical, particularly from excess cold and falls.
'Together with the CIEH, PHE wants this online resource to help local areas address poor conditions in order to help to reduce health inequalities, and prevent and reduce demand for health and care services.’
Figures suggest that poor housing costs the NHS at least £2bn a year.
