Do better homes equal better health?

Carmarthenshire County Council housing tenants are being asked to take part in an innovative study to assess the health impact of home improvements.
The authority is currently updating each of its 9,200 council homes as part of its £203million Carmarthenshire Homes Standard.

The majority of homes have already been upgraded, with improvements including new kitchens and bathrooms, cavity wall and loft insulation, double glazed windows and doors and new energy efficient gas boilers.

Now, the council wants to understand how the programme may have benefitted tenants’ health.

Housing officers have linked up with Cardiff and Swansea universities to undertake what is believed to be the first Health Impact Survey in Wales.

Throughout February, short surveys will be delivered to all council homes.

Tenants are being encouraged to answer a series of questions designed to assess their health and wellbeing since the improvements.

The data will be compared to a similar survey carried out before the programme began.

It is hoped the results will give housing teams across Wales a better understanding of how living conditions can impact on a person’s health.

Head of housing, Robin Staines, said: “We believe that improving people’s living conditions can have a significant impact on their health. By properly assessing the impact of our CHS programme, we may be able to find a link between poor health and housing, which will help inform future investment in housing both locally and nationally.

“It will also help us, and other organisations, to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce the strain on health care services.”

Cllr Hugh Evans, executive board member for housing, added: “We would very much appreciate our tenants taking the time to complete this survey and giving us any feedback they can on the difference their home improvements have had on their health and wellbeing.”

Tenants will receive copies of the survey throughout February, with all returned surveys being entered in to a prize draw.

Anyone who would like help completing the survey form should call 01267 234567, and the housing teams will be happy to assist.