New report by Public Health Wales highlights need for 'healthy homes'
A new report by Public Health Wales will aim to develop plans for future housing, ensuring 'safe, secure and affordable homes'
The new report named 'Shaping the future of healthy housing for children and families in Wales: A Summary of stakeholder engagement', aims to develop future plans for housing in Wales to ensure safe, secure and affordable homes.
The report draws on insights from a housing futures workshop that Public Health Wales held in November 2024, which brought together experts from the Welsh Government, local health boards, the third sector and academia.
The workshop applied future thinking approaches to identify what needs to change to build towards 'a healthier, fairer housing system in Wales - particularly for children and families living in poverty'.
"Creating healthy homes is not just a housing issue, it's a matter of public health":
Joe Rees, Senior Policy Officer for Public Health Wales said:
“Creating healthy homes is not just a housing issue, it's a matter of public health. This report builds on the strong partnerships already in place and sets out a shared vision with emerging priorities for further action.
"We hope it supports and strengthens collaboration across housing, health, planning and policy to create homes that protect and promote the health and wellbeing of families today and in the future.”
The report outlines several major barriers stakeholders identified to healthy housing in Wales, including poor housing quality, affordability challenges, and insecure tenancies.
Public Health Wales says it points to the need to shift to increased availability of quality, affordable housing and raised standards for the private rented sector.
The report also identifies four emerging areas for action to strengthen the provision of healthy housing in Wales.
The definition of a 'healthy home' by Public Health Wales:
- Secure and affordable
- Well built, well maintained and energy efficient
- Located in neighbourhoods with good transport links, services and green space
- A foundation for stability, belonging and well-being
A spokesperson for Public Health Wales said:
"This work reflects a broader opportunity to think about how our everyday places can better support health and wellbeing.
"When the places where we live, learn, shop and play are healthy, it's easier for everyone to live well.
"Planning and housing policies play a key role in promoting health. By focussing on affordable, warm, secure homes, we can create the right conditions for children and families to thrive."