黑洞社区

Remedial work to England鈥檚 worst quality housing could bring more than 拢135bn in societal benefits over the next three decades, according to the 黑洞社区 Research Establishment (BRE). 

The group鈥檚 latest analysis claims that an investment of 拢9bn to improve the 2.4 million homes identified as having some of the most serious health and safety hazards would pay for itself within nine years based on NHS savings alone. 

Investment in these homes would also bring benefits to asset values, economic opportunities, carbon emissions and lower energy bills are considered, according to the BRE鈥檚 30-year cost-benefit analysis. 

Currently, the NHS is estimated to spend more than 拢1bn each year treating those affected by poor quality housing.  

Gillian Charlesworth, chief executive of the BRE, said: 鈥淥ur analysis is a clear signal to policymakers that investing in the health and safety of England鈥檚 poor housing will deliver significant, long-term economic and societal benefits.  

鈥淯p until now, no serious attempt has been made to examine and quantify the longer-term costs and benefits if the worst health and safety hazards were removed from England鈥檚 substandard housing.  

鈥淚mproving poor housing has huge implications for the life chances of the families who live in those homes, and benefits to society as a whole.  

鈥淥ur research shows there is much more than a moral case for tackling unsafe homes. There is also a powerful economic argument for England and the UK to deliver the improvements needed, through targeted and timely programmes of work to reap the financial payback.鈥� 

The BRE admitted that it would not be practical to undertake all necessary work immediately and has designed a cost-benefit model that can be used to decide whether to take action in different scenarios.  

Improving the 65,000 homes with a category 1 damp and mould hazard would cost 拢250m, with 拢4.8bn in societal benefit over the next 30 years if this work was to be undertaken immediately.