This report outlines the decline in national investment in home improvement, the consequences and what we need to do next.
Everyone should have a safe, warm home to live in. A decent home is the foundation for a good life. Unfortunately, millions of people in this country live in cold, hazardous homes that cause poor health and wellbeing, increased financial insecurity and billions of pounds spent unnecessarily on public services.
Our new report with the Healthier Housing Partnership shows that a failure to invest in home improvement in the last decade is contributing to this hidden housing crisis. Over the past decade, £2.3bn in home improvement grants has been removed by the government, leading to hundreds of thousands of fewer homes being repaired.
In light of this report’s findings, the Centre for Ageing Better is recommending:
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Creation of a national home improvement strategy (with financial backing) to improve the quality of England’s homes.
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Establishment of a national network of regional one-stop shops (or Good Home Hubs) that provide residents with access to advice and support for home improvement.
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Implementation of recommendations in the Centre for Ageing Better’s Triple Dividend report which identifies £625m of annual home improvement funding.
