Blog by Sue Adams, CEO of Care & Repair England

With so much talk of ‘levelling up’ there were high expectations that the ‘left behind’ areas of the North might see some practical, funded action announced in the March 2020 budget.

No-where is new investment more clearly needed than in the existing housing stock in poor areas. Sadly, when the Budget was published there was little to celebrate if you are living on a limited income in a poor quality, low value home in a disadvantaged neighbourhood.

This week saw the publication of our new graphic briefing, Decent homes for ageing well.  This highlights the many reasons why action is urgently needed to improve the safety, warmth and quality of existing homes.

The £1.4b p.a. cost to the NHS must be one of the most frequently quoted figures about health and housing connections. Unfortunately, despite the claims that the NHS is more focused on prevention, it has not resulted in concerted action to make current homes less hazardous, unhealthy places to live.

The housing policy focus is still on number of new homes built – quantity not quality.

Our joint publication with the Centre for Ageing Better, Home and Dry: The need for Decent Homes in Later Life,  launched at our House of Lords event on 5^th March, makes a compelling case for action. We also hope that the linked Data Annex [will encourage more researchers and organisations carry out further analysis and work in this field.

Lets us hope that together we can influence the forthcoming Spending Review and secure fresh action (and funding) to make all homes good places to age well.

[March 2020]