Resource
Centre for Ageing Better
1 Mar 2021
Getting our homes in order: How England's homes are failing us
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of people have spent more time at home than ever before and the impact of poor living conditions on people’s physical and mental health is becoming indisputably more apparent.
Despite the increased recognition of the impact that our homes have on our health, it's currently estimated that there are 4.1 million homes in England that do not meet basic standards set by government.
Previous analysis by Ageing Better estimates that close to half of these homes are lived in by someone over 55 years old. In 2020, an estimated 93% of people aged 60 and above said they were satisfied with their home.
Despite this level of satisfaction, the high number of poor-quality homes persists, and houses that are either damp, cold, inaccessible or in physical disrepair can have serious negative effects on our health. Poor-quality homes are damaging for all ages.