Agenda item

Director of Community & Children’s Services

The Board were provided with an overview of how good quality and well run social

housing can impact upon health outcomes for local communities, highlighting the key impact that housing, neighbourhoods and socio-economic inequalities in housing estates have on health and wellbeing.

Members noted some of the initiatives currently being developed in the City’s housing estates from developing green spaces to promoting community initiatives to build community resilience and capacity. The City’s new Housing Strategy also provided an important opportunity to further develop longer term strategic priorities.

Members agreed that the impact of health and housing was of particular relevance for the City. The City’s housing strategy, for example, had outlined key challenges impacting on the health and wellbeing of City tenants. These included overcrowding, health inequalities

in specific wards, demographic changes and meeting the challenges of an ageing

population.

Members noted that health and wellbeing was strongly influenced by community and individual assets (social relationships, resilience, social support and networks, opportunities for voluntary work, life-long learning). There was growing evidence that people with stronger social networks were healthier and happier. Research had also shown that traditional risk based and targeted programmes (smoking cessation, health eating encouraging physical activity) were not enough to bring about health and wellbeing in a community.

In response to a query from Members, Officers agreed to arrange a visit for Board Members to the City Corporation’s Housing Estates.

Resolved: Members endorsed existing work being undertaken in the City’s estates and future opportunities.