Building and Property

Home improvements improve health and reduce crime, study shows

Picture of home improvement in Nottingham for Your Expert Witness storyNottingham City Homes, one of the member stakeholders of the Sustainable Homes Index For Tomorrow – has undertaken an impact study of its ‘Decent Homes’ retrofit scheme in partnership with experts at Nottingham Business School. The study quantifies the benefits of home improvements for security and safety, physical and mental health, sustainability, fuel poverty, and employment.

The renovations consisted of a mixture of installations, including Secured by Design double glazed windows, modern central heating and loft insulation, as well as bathroom and kitchen renovations and other measures to improve the safety of the homes (for instance by installing slip-resistant floors).

The programme was started in 2008 and involves investing a total of £187m. It will bring all the housing association’s 28,300 homes above the Decent Homes standard by 2015.

The study calculated that the work provided a significant return on investment, with the cost of measures recouped in under a year. Analysis indicates that every pound spent on retrofitting, generated a further £1.46 in spending across Nottinghamshire. Over 10 years the total social value created will be over £4.76 for every £1 spent. The works have also resulted in new professional training opportunities and employment benefits for the area, with an estimated 560 jobs being created.

The report, issued by Sustainable Homes, said: “The double glazing and insulation installed improved thermal efficiency and decreased the cost to occupants of heating their homes, as well as the risk of falling into fuel poverty. They [Nottingham City Homes] estimate that the installations will save tenants £3.5m on their fuel bills per year.

“The secure windows installed not only reduced the number of burglaries, but also reduced the fear of crime, with residents now feeling safer at home. Aspley, a former burglary hotspot, has seen its number of burglaries reduced by 42% between 2007 and 2010, with a 50% decrease in burglaries via a window. This also benefits physical wellbeing, as increased stress from a fear of crime can lead to ill-health, and have subsequent negative costs to families, businesses and public finances. Insulated windows also reduce the noise pollution entering properties, and quieter homes increase the quality of rest, again reducing stress and helping to preserve mental and physical health.”

Chief executive Nick Murphy said: “This research demonstrates how we’re leading the way in the work we are doing. We’re making a real impact on tenants’ lives by reducing their fuel bills, improving people’s health and making our neighbourhoods a better place to live.” 

Their efforts recently won Nottingham City Homes the title of 2013 Sustainable Landlord of the Year at the UK Housing Awards.