Press Release

The substandard home crisis

10 December 2007 

Government focus on building new homes when vast numbers of properties lie empty or do not meet a decent standard is absurd, a leading public health organisation will say this week.

Speaking at the launch of a report on housing renewal and public health, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) will tell MPs that the focus on building new while reducing the amount of money made available for the renewal of older stock in some parts of the country is unsustainable and a threat to public health.

Chair of the CIEH Commission on Housing Renewal and Public Health John Bryson said:

“The bottom end of the housing market is awash with poor quality housing. This is often unsafe and unhealthy, having a detrimental impact on public health. In addition there are many properties that are not even in use.

“There is not enough replacement of older housing stock. Only to add to the stock instead of replacing what is substandard or to bring back into use decent housing that is not being used cannot be sustained.

“Government must consider a more balanced approach to tackle the housing crisis.”

The commission has examined the need for and the role of clearance of residential property to help improve the health of occupiers and the quality of housing stock.

It is recognised in the Commission on Housing Renewal and Public Health: Final Report that clearance of housing stock is often unaffordable for local authorities as even the worst housing has an inflated market value given the present housing market and calls on the Government to review the complex legal framework surrounding housing renewal.

Mr Bryson continued:

“If we are serious about reducing the impact of housing conditions on health as well as addressing environmental issues then we have to have a national strategy for gradual renewal.

The CIEH report is to be launched at a reception at Portcullis House on Thursday 13 December.

Recommendations from the report include:

    * A Land Value Tax must be considered as a way of financing local government and improving housing conditions
    * Government must recognise urban renewal policies require a greater public health emphasis
    * Government must readdress the balance between new and old to ensure gradual renewal can become a reality
    * The Decent Home standard and associated targets have aimed to ensure vulnerable people live in healthier homes – it is recommended that targets to achieve this standard are strengthened