A new Safe Homes Now report highlights the urgent need for the government’s upcoming Warm Homes Plan to target support to those most impacted by these issues including low income, older and Black households.
In more than two in five homes (42%) that have condensation, damp or mould, there is at least one person with asthma and/or a weakened immune system, a new report from the Centre for Ageing Better and supported by Health Equals reveals. This is almost double the proportion (22%) for households which have never had such issues.
The report also suggests that the negative health impacts of living with condensation, damp or mould can stay with people after they have stopped being exposed to those conditions in their home.
More than one in three (37%) people whose current home does not have condensation, damp or mould, but who experienced these issues in the past, say that someone in their household has asthma or a weakened immune system.
Treating asthma costs the NHS £3 billion a year while two in three of the 1,000+ deaths from asthma in the UK every year is preventable.
The new report published today makes clear that households where people are in poor health or on low incomes are much more likely to have condensation, damp or mould and to suffer serious consequences to their physical and mental health as a result.
The Centre for Ageing Better, part of the Safe Homes Now coalition, says this makes the indisputable case for the government’s Warm Homes Plan to focus on the country’s poorest quality housing stock and those who need support the most.
Studies have shown that previous national energy efficiency schemes have disproportionately benefitted households with higher incomes.
The government is also being urged to bring forward the implementation date of the new Decent Homes Standard. Under current plans, the new Decent Homes Standard will not come into force for another ten years.
