Housing for health? A screening Health Impact Assessment of the consultation draft of the Regional Housing Strategy
Links between housing and health have long been recognised and there are a broad range of housing issues that can affect health outcomes. However, the relationship is complex, and links between the different elements of housing and health can operate at a range of levels. Furthermore, poor housing conditions often coexist with other forms of deprivation making it difficult to assess, isolate or modify the overall health impact of housing conditions. It is therefore essential that strategic planning for housing in the region takes account of the impact of decisions on the health of the population.
Housing touches all our lives and the way we develop housing will impact on current and future generations' quality of life. The North East Housing Strategy provides the framework that will shape this future and the current revision of the strategy, with its associated consultation process, provides the opportunity for health to have a strong voice.
The purpose of this report is to support the development of a Regional Housing Strategy (RHS) by ensuring that issues of public health, health inequalities and health and social care are incorporated into the strategy. The formal consultation process has provided the opportunity for a screening Health Impact Assessment (HIA) as well as general comment on the text. This work was facilitated by the North East Public Health Observatory and undertaken by a group of individuals with a range of skills and backgrounds, including public health and housing.
This HIA will form only part of the feedback to the consultation as many of the agencies involved will also respond. This also provides an opportunity to develop better links between housing and health to ensure a more strategic engagement, rather than a one off response. As this process is only a contributory part of the formal consultation on the RHS there is still opportunity to contribute further.
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HIA Housing Strategy screening report.pdf
Housing for health? A screening Health Impact Assessment of the consultation draft of the Regional Housing Strategy
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