The right home environment is critical for our health and wellbeing. A healthy home is a wider determinant of health, which means without a healthy home our physical, mental and social wellbeing can be impacted on negatively. A home is classed as unhealthy if it is cold and damp, not suitable for the occupants or does not provide a sense of safety and security. Our Healthy Homes Programme can support residents living in unhealthy homes. We begin with a home visit in which we complete a comprehensive assessment of the households needs. We support the household to achieve their personalised healthy home plan either directly or through connecting them to services that are best placed to support them with their physical, mental and social needs.

Philip Hodgson and Northumbria Univeristy undertook a mixed methods evaluation on phase 1 of the programme. Their full evaluation report is attached. 

The evaluation found that we successfully targeted households experiencing a complex mix of challenges (low income, older residents, those with long-term conditions) and living with a condition which was a risk to their health. We identified high levels of mould and concerns about fuel poverty, social inclusion, anti-social behaviour and welfare needs. By addressing housing needs we evidenced potential cost savings of £71,245 per annum to health services for the 48 homes included in the evaluation. The service was well received by participants, particularly the relational skills of our staff and the method of a home visit, which made them feel heard and cared for (and was a positive outcome in itself).

The Healthy Home Programme is available for households in NE31, NE32, NE33 1/2/5/9 or NE34 8/9 areas who have a low household income (less than £31,500 or in receipt of benefits) and either:

• someone over 65 or under 5 years old living in the home, or
• someone living in the home has a long term health condition.

To connect a household to us or to have a chat about a household then please contact 01914329838 or fcc.lifestyle@nhs.net.

If you would like to raise your awareness about what a healthy home is and how to identify people who would benefit from support then book onto our free Healthy Homes training. Visit healthy homes training