A new report published by the East of England Local Government Association (EELGA), in partnership with Public Health East of England, the East of England All Party Parliamentary Group and IMPOWER Consulting, has outlined five key recommendations for strengthening the integration of health and housing across Integrated Care Systems (ICSs).
The strategic ‘Healthy Homes’ report aims to help ICS readers in the region enhance collaboration between housing and health sectors to improve overall health across the community.
The report, designed as a self improvement tool for ICSs, highlights the crucial link between housing and health, urging ICS leaders to take practical steps towards addressing health inequalities.
By aligning housing strategies with public health initiatives, the report advocates for a more preventative approach that moves the focus from treatment to addressing the root causes of poor health. Improving housing conditions, the report highlights, is an effective and cost-efficient way to create healthier communities across the East of England.
Councillor Jacqui Taylor, portfolio holder for housing and inclusion at St Albans district council and lead member for housing at EELGA, commented: “A safe, warm, affordable and stable home is fundamental to achieving better health outcomes and this report demonstrates that by integrating housing strategies with public health efforts, we can reduce inequalities and build healthier, more resilient communities.
“The consequences arising from the growing pressures facing health and housing services are now greater than ever and the shared commitment of local councils, housing agencies and health organisations in the East of England is a significant step towards driving systemic change.”
The report outlines five principles for ICSs to implement as part of their strategies for improving health and housing outcomes. These principles focus on establishing a shared story and understanding of the health and housing challenges, aligning strategies across sectors, engaging diverse partners, agreeing roles and accountabilities, and ensuring that strategic goals translate into practical actions on the frontline at community level.
ICSs are encouraged to use the report as a roadmap for aligning their housing and public health strategies to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations, particularly in areas with high levels of deprivation.
Data highlights how councils and housing providers play a key role in reducing health inequalities by addressing factors such as housing quality, affordability and access to vital services.
Healthy life expectancy in the East of England is higher than the national average for England, with men living 64.6 years and women 65.0 years in good health, compared to England’s averages of 63.5 years for both genders. However, there are notable disparities within the region, like Luton (5.2 years below the East of England average) and Central Bedfordshire (2.3 years above).
Furthermore, the region has a higher-than average dependency ratio, with a larger proportion of the population aged 0-14 and over 65 compared to those aged 15-64. As the population ages and more people live longer with complex health and care needs, demand for supported housing and related challenges increases. This aging demographic poses significant housing challenges, particularly relevant to the East of England.
Professor Aliko Ahmed, regional director of public health for the East of England, commented: “Housing is one of the most important social determinants of health. The quality and nature of housing can have a big impact on people’s health. The integration of health and housing is therefore essential to our collective endeavour towards healthier communities.
“This report offers ICSs an actionable framework to ensure that both sectors are working together to improve the health and wellbeing of communities, particularly those facing the greatest challenges.”
The report additionally asks for ICSs to support the delivery of the NHS Core20plus5 programme, ensuring that health and housing interventions are aligned to address health inequalities.
It also encourages ICSs to identity development sites that align with the principles of collaborative place-making, which will improve community health outcomes by ensuring that new developments meet the needs of local populations.
Sarah Davis, senior policy and practice officer, Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), commented: “At CIH we are committed to ensuring that housing professionals can maximise the role they have in effective health and housing strategies to support the wellbeing of tenants and residents. It is really encouraging to see that health and local government partners are also keen to develop this work with this publication.
“The guiding principles and collaborative tools in this report will enable more examples of integrated working, focused around people, communities and systems.”
Emma Palmer, chair of BuildEast and chief executive of Eastlight Community Homes, commented: “Health and housing providers, alongside local government, must work together if we are to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents and communities.
“The Healthy Homes report, led by the East of England Local Government Associated (EELGA), is a positive step forward to aligning sector strategies and supporting Integrated Care Systems in our shared mission to improve public health.
“As chair of BuildEat and chief executive of Eastlight Community Homes, I look forward to further collaborating with EELGA, our partners and peers. Together, we can take a local approach to reduce health inequalities and deliver better outcomes for people across our region.”
Sean Hanson, CEO of IMPOWER, commented: “Housing and health must be viewed as interconnected. By focusing on preventative interventions, ICSs can improve health outcomes and reduce long-term healthcare costs, while building sustainable, inclusive communities. We are very proud to have worked with partners on this important research and report.”
