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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report summarises the results of a research project commissioned by Shelter Cymru and BRE Trust to apply a methodology developed to calculate the cost of poor housing in England to the Welsh housing stock. A full description of the original methodology is contained in The Real Cost of Poor Housing. A summary of its findings are contained in the Information Paper: Quantifying the Cost of Poor Housing.

The research demonstrates the continuing health and societal impacts of poor housing in Wales. Proportionately, there is considerably more poor housing in Wales than in England, and there is a particular overrepresentation of potential health and safety problems caused by dangerous stairs and steps, and cold and damp homes. However, if works are targeted to reduce the worst health and safety hazards in these homes to an acceptable level, it is estimated that there will be a benefit to the NHS of around £67 million per year. This figure doubles if our definition of poor housing is widened to include all homes with a SAP (energy efficiency rating) of 40 or less and basic heating and insulation improvements are targeted towards these homes. In addition to the direct costs to the NHS, poor housing also results in broader economic consequences for society in Wales – including poorer educational attainment and life chances – which can be estimated at a further £100 million per annum.