Healthy Homes Programme (HHP)

Liverpool's Healthy Homes Programme (HHP) was launched to prevent premature death and ill-health due to poor housing conditions and accidents in the home. It is mainly aimed at the rented sector and is helping many of the most vulnerable residents in Liverpool. 

National estimates, show that poor housing conditions are believed to be a significant contributor in up to 500 deaths and around 5,000 illnesses needing medical attention in Liverpool each year. Liverpool has one of the highest rates of excess winter deaths in the UK. 

Liverpool City Council has been commissioned by Liverpool Primary Care Trust to assist in the reduction of health inequalities to improve morbidity and mortality statistics. The programme pro-actively targets and survey a large number of the worst properties, housing the most vulnerable occupants. 

Approximately 15,000 properties in Liverpool have been identified with 2750 prioritised for a full health and safety inspection to develop a personalised home improvement plan. Following the inspections of the properties, the necessary improvements are secured by the team’s Environmental Health Officers. Clinical support is also provided by increasing awareness of the programme in neighbourhood practises and creating referral systems for clinicians. Enabling health professionals to address the causes of some respiratory complaints and other chronic diseases caused by exposure to hazards within the home.

Through the removal of hazard exposure and other interventions the programme is designed to;  

• Prevent up to 100 premature deaths when fully implemented
  Reduce GP consultations and hospital admissions by an estimated 1000 cases.
• Improve clinical understanding of poor housing on local health via communication with GPs and other clinical services.
• Reduce reliance on secondary and tertiary treatment.
• Increase community capacity to support housing improvements.

For more information visit the council's website or alternatively please contact Ian.Watson@Liverpool.gov.uk
or Phil.Hatcher@Liverpool.gov.uk 

The Audit Commission recently published a case study on the Healthy Homes Initiative. For a more detailed look at the programme please click here

The Healthy Homes Programme recently won a national award for its work. To view the full story click here