Housing is health, for good or ill. That’s the ethos underpinning Healthy Homes Bill which has its second reading in the House of Lords today (Friday 15 July). The Bill states that all new homes
- must be safe in relation to the risk of fire
The awful tragedy of Grenfell Tower was the very worst of a number of incidents in newer housing which highlight how current building regulations are insufficient to keep people safe. - must have the liveable space required to meet the needs of people over their whole lifetime
This includes adequate internal and external storage space. New-build homes are 20% smaller now than in the 1970s. A home should have enough space to prevent overcrowding as families grow and lives change. - must have access natural light in all main living areas and bedrooms
Vision, mental health, vitamin levels and sleep are all negatively affected when there is not enough natural light. - should be built in places that priortise and provide access to public transport, within walking distance of services, green areas and playgrounds
The TCPA found that too many children in new homes, especially conversions, have nowhere to play. Due to lack of play space indoors or out, some even have to play on roads used by HGVs - must secure radical reductions in carbon emissions in line with Climate Change Act 2008
Making new homes energy-efficient from the start is cheaper and easier than retrofitting later. It also lowers bills, making homes more affordable to run. - must demonstrate how they will be resilient to climate change over their full lifetime
Developers can limit the effects of changing climate by making homes more energy-efficient and by considering potential future problems such as flooding. - must be built to design out crime and be secure
Crime can be discouraged by neighbourhood design, from good-quality front doors to natural surveillance of the street from windows. - must be free from unacceptable and intrusive noise and light pollution
25% of all UK homes are surrounded by air pollution that exceeds WHO limits. In London the percentage is much higher. Under permitted development rights, ‘new’ homes are often created from old office blocks in industrial areas, surrounded by busy roads. - must minimise and not contribute to unsafe or illegal levels of indoor or ambient air pollution
After air pollution, noise is the second biggest cause of ill-health but current building regulations don’t to stop you hearing neighbours’ conversations or road noise from inside your home. - must be designed to provide year-round thermal comfort
A well-insulated home is cool in summer, warm in winter and has a lower carbon footprint. No-one should be freezing at home to avoid huge heating bills in cold weather.
Championed by the Town and Country Planning Association and Lord Crisp, former Chief Executive of the NHS, the Healthy Homes Bill establishes a benchmark for what we could and should have in new homes. But actually, local authorities don’t have to wait for the Bill to pass into law to include many of the key elements in their planning codes.
This is vitally important in protecting people’s health, wellbeing and safety.
Find out more about the Healthy Homes Bill and sign up to support the campaign
Equality Trust in Brent, Newham and City of Westminster
Jimi is Senior London organiser at The Equality Trust. He hopes to hear from renters and local community groups in Brent, Newham or Westminster.
Part of Jimi’s work aims to help those London councils adopt measures that reduce inequality. Obviously, bringing people together to hear their perspectives on what should be done to tackle inequality is essential to success. So, if you are a Brent, Newham or Westminster resident or part of any group there, your contribution would be most welcome.
You can ">contact Jimi via email. Please include the name of your borough and community group, if you are a member of one.
Closing on Sunday 17 July
Although the problem of short lets and second homes reducing the supply of available housing is most acute around the coastline, no tourist destination is unaffected. London is one of the World’s most visited cities, attracting some 30 million visitors each year.
Fortunately, Nickie Aiken, MP for Cities of London and Westminster, continues to lobby hard on the issues and has done much to secure a white paper. If you have not already done so, please have your say on short lets in the Talk London survey on short-term lettings before it closes this Sunday, 17 July?
Your views will help inform the Mayor of London as he prepares a response to the government consultation on short-term lettings.
Alternatively or additionally, do please drop me a line to share your thoughts? As you probably know, Renters’ Rights London is part of the Campaign Against Empty Homes. Our position is informed by renters’ views.
