Housing for Health
| Description | To improve the health, housing and living conditions of people with the eligible chronic illnesses. |
|---|---|
| Setting | Within the Local Authority of Bradford District |
| Populationting | Adults and children with chronic illnesses living in Bradford |
| Intervention summary | Health advice and signposting to other health agencies and schemes such as Warmfront. Funding works to make homes safer, warmer, free from damp and disrepair. |
| Outcome Summary | Increase in clients’ physical activity and healthier eating |
| Startup Cost | Not known |
| Running Cost | The annual running costs are approximately £175 000 for salaries, administration and management costs. £250 000 is also available for housing works. |
| Funding | All figures are per annum: £78 840 – funding from Healthy Communities Funding Team (one full time health practitioner’s post, one full time housing practitioner’s post, and part time administration support) £72 000 – revenue from Bradford Council (part time housing practitioner’s post, management, and additional admin costs) £25 000 – revenue from Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust (one part time health practitioner) £250 000 – capital made available for housing works |
| Started | April 2000 |
| Ended | Ongoing. However, this will be subject to the necessary funding being available. |
| Location | Bradford, England |
| Contact |
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Background
Housing for Health is an innovative partnership between health and housing professionals, who aim to improve the health and living conditions of people with various chronic illnesses. The Housing for Health team provides health advice, referrals and signposting to other agencies. For eligible homeowners, the team can also help with housing works to help relieve the chronic health condition and items which affect the health and safety of the occupants.
The team is also involved with promoting the scheme with other health professionals such as GPs, district nurses, community matrons, occupational therapists, diabetic nurses, coronary heart disease (CHD) nurses and children’s specialist nurses. This is with a view to not only encourage them to refer to the project, but also educate them on the links between poor housing and health.
This scheme began as a pilot in the Bradford Trident area of Bradford and was then known as Housing for Healthier Hearts. In October 2004, the scheme was expanded to cover the whole of the Bradford District when it became known as Housing for Health. Since then, the scheme has developed as a mainstream service delivered within the Bradford Council’s Private Sector Housing department.
What is the problem you are trying to solve?
The aim of Housing for Health is to improve the health, housing and living conditions of people who suffer from the eligible chronic health conditions, through health advice and housing interventions.
What local organisations are involved?
The scheme is a partnership between Bradford Council and Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust (tPCT). However, the team regularly work with, make and receive referrals from a wide range of organisations and agencies.
How many people are running this project and who are they?
The project is managed by Private Sector Housing within Bradford Council. The team comprises a full time manager and two housing practitioners who are employed by Bradford Council and two health practitioners (both from nursing backgrounds) who are employed by Bradford and Airedale tPCT. Administrative support is provided from within the Private Sector Housing Department.
What local population are you targeting?
We target people who live in Bradford District and suffer from one of the following chronic illnesses: coronary heart disease, strokes, diabetes treated with medication, peripheral vascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and children with life limiting or chronic diseases.
The chronic illnesses covered by the scheme were originally chosen by the Primary Care Trust as part of their key priorities in addressing public health. However, these criteria are being reviewed.
How many people are you targeting?
There are no limits to the number of people who can apply, although the number that can be dealt with is subject to available resources. As demand increases, it may mean people have to wait longer for the service.
Interventions
What interventions are you using to address the problem?
Nurses carry out a health assessment which includes providing appropriate health advice based on the individual’s needs. Advice is given on healthy eating, physical exercise, stopping smoking and where appropriate, signposting to other agencies.
We also carry out housing interventions, such as funding and support to carry out works on owner-occupied properties to make homes safer, warmer, free from damp and disrepair. Typical works include installation of central heating, works to remove dampness, installation of ventilation systems and replacement windows.
Is the project design based on evidence? If so, please state reference.
No
Outcome
What outcomes or planned outcomes are you measuring?
The scheme is evaluated by Dr Terry Allen at the University of Bradford. We also carry out a health questionnaire three months following the completion of the housing interventions and health advice. The questionnaire includes questions on any behavioural changes, outcomes of referrals to other agencies, and any changes to health and well being following the housing works. The findings are utilised to influence practice. A customer satisfaction form is also sent out on completion of housing works.
Do you have any outcomes or results yet? If so, what are they?
Housing for Health has been evaluated by Dr Terry Allen at the University of Bradford in 2002 and 2004. The evaluations showed evidence of improvements in clients’ well being and health following the health and housing interventions. Feedback from clients included reports of improved chest and joint pain due to having central heating installed, and one client’s son’s asthma improving due to having a ventilation unit installed.
Is your project relevant to a government target or guideline?
No
Feedback
What obstacles did you have to overcome to set up this project?
The scheme was set up through a multidisciplinary steering group, comprising health and housing professionals. The main initial obstacle was accessing funding.
What have you learned about the project so far?
Throughout the life of the scheme, the team has spent a lot of time promoting Housing for Health with health professionals through presentations and one to one sessions. Initially, despite the extensive promotion of the scheme, very few referrals were received from health professionals. The referrals from health professionals are now increasing and this has highlighted the need for continued promotion of the scheme and education on the effects of poor housing on health with health colleagues.
What would you do differently?
We would like to see more referrals from health professionals. A great deal of promotional work has already been carried out with different groups and networks, but we continue to build on increasing awareness.