Study Shows Decent Homes Will Improve Health
The health and security of thousands of council tenants will be dramatically improved by Sheffield’s huge Decent Homes programme according to a major new academic study published today (Thursday July 20).
Leading academics at Sheffield Hallam and Warwick universities, who carried out the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) have concluded that the near £700m programme of improvements to Sheffield Council’s housing stock will mean:
- 300 fewer accidents in the home per year, saving nearly £1m for in-hospital care alone
- More than £1m could be saved per year in long-term NHS care
- Reduction in winter cold-related deaths among the elderly and other illnesses
- Potential savings for the NHS running into millions of pounds
- Over 1,000 fewer burglaries per year
- Mental health improved as a result of reduction in burglaries
- Reduced fuel poverty improving physical and mental health
- Further research and cost benefit analysis will pinpoint savings to the NHS more precisely.
The Decent Homes programme, which is managed by Sheffield Homes, is the largest of its kind in the UK and the study will have major implications for tenants and policy-makers alike up and down the country.
As well as assessing the health impact of Decent Homes on tenants, the HIA shows how the integration of local health and housing policies can bring massive budgetary savings and identifies Sheffield as having one of the most `dynamic strategic partnerships’ in the country.
The study, carried out over 10 months, is part of a series of Health Impact Assessments that the Sheffield First Health and Well Being Partnership will be commissioning as part of its commitment to being a World Health Organisation Healthy City.
For this study, Sheffield Homes also teamed up with this Partnership, which includes Sheffield City Council, Primary Health Care Trusts, Sheffield Hallam University and others.
Heading the research was leading academic, Professor Geoff Green of Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, in conjunction with the University of Warwick’s Safe and Healthy Homes Research Unit.
It took into account the range and scale of Decent Homes’ work being undertaken in Sheffield, affecting over 50,000 homes and 95,000 people.
Professor Green’s team then used national data and previous research findings to work out what impact Decent Homes will have in the city.
They compared current, local data on accidents in the home; health issues relating to cold, damp or poor living conditions and mental and physical harm resulting from burglaries, with national data.
Results not only showed how new kitchens, bathrooms, re-wiring, new heating systems and other adaptations will reduce hazards and accidents, but how new windows, doors and security measures will make people feel more secure – bringing immeasurable mental health benefits to tenants.
“Improving the health and quality of life for people has always been a key aim of the Decent Homes programme,” said Sir Robert Kerslake, Co-Chair of Sheffield First Health and Well-being Partnership and Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council.
“This study not only gives us tangible evidence that it will do just that, it has shown that investment in housing brings massive benefits to local authorities in terms of the quality of service they provide and the significant savings in heath care and costs to the NHS that it can bring.
“Accidents and illnesses are sadly a part of life and while Decent Homes cannot be the panacea for all ills and actually prevent them all, it’s very encouraging to know what we’re doing can reduce risks and bring people positive health benefits.