Assessing housing quality and its impact on health, safety and sustainability

Abstract

Background The adverse health and environmental effects of poorhousing quality are well established. A central requirement for evidence-based policies and programmes to improve housing standards is avalid, reliable and practical way of measuring housing quality that is supported by policy agencies, the housing sector, researchers andthe public. Methods This paper provides guidance on the development of housing quality-assessment tools that link practical measures of housing conditions to their effects on health, safety and sustainability, with particular reference to tools developed in New ZealandandEngland. Results The authors describe how information on housingquality can support individuals, agencies and the private sector to makeworthwhile improvements to the health, safety and sustainability of housing. The information gathered and the resultant tools developed should be guided by the multiple purposes and end users of thisinformation. Other important issues outlined include deciding on thescope, detailed content, practical administration issues and how theinformation will be analysed and summarised for its intended end users. There are likely to be considerable benefits from increased international collaboration and standardisation of approaches to measuring housing hazards. At the same time, these assessment approaches need toconsider local factors such as climate, geography, culture, predominating building practices, important housing-related health issues and existing building codes. Conclusions An effective housing quality-assessment tool has a central role in supporting improvements to housing. The issues discussed in this paper are designed to motivate and assist the development of such tools.