In the final episode of our Healthier Housing Winter Podcast series, we feature an insightful conversation with Graham DeAth from the Ethos Partnership, shedding light on the innovative Healthy Homes project.

In conversation with Sarah Levett, Graham details how this project aims to address issues related to damp and mould in UK housing through collaboration and technology-enabled solutions. The importance of this project becomes evident when considering the impact of poor housing conditions on the health and well-being of residents across the country.

The Healthy Homes project recognises the interconnectedness of housing conditions and the health of occupants, particularly in the context of integrated care systems. These systems bring together various stakeholders, including NHS, local authorities, social housing providers, and public health teams, to address the broader determinants of health. With housing conditions playing a significant role in people's lives, the project seeks to integrate housing fabric management with its impact on residents.

One of the key focuses of the project is to harness technology to enable system integration and drive wider systemic change. By gathering insights from diverse stakeholders, including housing providers, industry experts, research institutions, and technology companies, the project aims to pave the way for a more collaborative and proactive approach to addressing housing challenges.

The potential benefits of the Healthy Homes project extend beyond improved living conditions. Notably, there are significant cost implications for the NHS associated with treating health issues resulting from damp and mould in housing. By shifting the focus towards prevention rather than restoration, the project seeks to reduce the burden on the NHS and reallocate resources to provide better housing and more preventative healthcare measures.

The project's emphasis on data science and analytics is crucial for understanding housing conditions and driving actionable insights. Real-time data collection and a bottom-up and top-down approach form the foundation for informed decision-making and collective action. The goal is to create a national database of housing data uniquely linked to individuals' health data, thereby enabling more targeted interventions and systemic improvements.

In conclusion, the Healthy Homes project represents a proactive and collaborative initiative to address the challenges of damp and mould in UK housing. By leveraging technology such as COSIE homes and DORIS care, fostering collaboration, and emphasising the importance of data-driven decision-making, the project aims to create a future where all residents live in warm, dry, and healthy homes. The potential for positive change is significant, and the project serves as a testament to the power of collective action in addressing complex societal issues.

Listen to Graham's Healthier Housing Podcast episode on Spotify now.

Prefer video? You can also watch the conversation with Graham on YouTube now.

The Healthier Homes Dincubator needs you!

Customer and regulatory demands are soaring. Registered Providers (RP’s) are now being also asked to safeguard resident health and wellbeing. The sector is being pushed to address the root causes of challenges, not just deal with mere symptoms (e.g. damp and mould). As a result, core operating models in the sector are coming under scrutiny.

System challenge

Pivotal transitions are underway - from asset to customer-centricity, reaction to prevention, and silo offers integrated solutions. A system-wide approach is increasingly necessary to address these so-called ‘wicked challenges’. Housing-only solutions are no longer viable.

Operating models must embrace the ‘health of homes’ in both physical and human terms; this paradigm shift we call ‘Healthy Homes’.

Here’s the thing, though: this is a monumental task. RPs wrestle with having the time, resources or money to tackle these challenges alone. Help is needed.

The DINcubator

This extends the successful DINlab model from the Property Innovation Network (PIN). Likeminded RPs are coming together with their peers and other stakeholders to take on the Healthy Homes challenge. An open, collaborative environment with forward-thinking RPs has been created where current practice can be challenged and future operating models imagined. In this safe environment, participants can:

• harness the collective knowledge and insights of peer organisations
• listen to the voices of both customers and other potential service providers
• work with research and industry innovators to pioneer practical solutions

The DINcubator is following a structured process, covering four phases - Discover-Define-Develop-Deliver. The end aim is to create a Blueprint for a future operating model to bridge the housing and health divide.

To find out more and get involved click here and get in touch with the Healthy Homes team here.