The pandemic has brought into sharp focus a number of key issues which are occupying the thought of decision makers and politicians, including health implications of housing. The available evidence seems to show that poor housing conditions such as overcrowding and high density have a direct correlation with greater transmission of COVID-19. This really should have been self evident, particularly as so many have had to spend more time in homes that are overcrowded, damp or unsafe. It is also predicted that the impact of the pandemic on people’s economic circumstances, including job losses across many industries, may lead to an increase in evictions and rent or mortgage arrears.
The Health Foundation wrote that “These housing problems have multiple causes: a focus on increasing supply to the detriment of other objectives; sustained reductions in housing benefits; and a private rented model which does not meet the needs of tenants.” It is hard to argue with this, our short term housing chickens have been brought home to roost
It has been argued that we need greater investment in social housing, a better regime (perhaps more secure) of private tenancies, and more realistic housing benefit rates – reversing the cuts to Local Housing Allowance – might improve the housing conditions for many and have a knock on effect in terms of health outcomes.
Perhaps most of all we need a recognition that the housing and health ‘markets’ are not designed to respond to challenges like Covid19? It requires a coherent, collective (dare I say cooperative) response from us all.
After all, we may not all be in the same boat, but we are all in the same storm.
Chris Bain 