The Health Cost-benefits of Adapting Housing for Disabled and Vulnerable People

In 2014 a ‘Bletchley Day’ workshop was organised by Care & Repair England. BRE was tasked with considering ways to demonstrate the investment value of home adaptations and modifications through the production of better evidence. BRE researched some of the cost-benefit to the NHS of undertaking preventative home interventions for households with a long-term sickness or disability, where the risks of accidents in their home are worse than the national average. This research has identified the need for preventative work in around 3 million households who have a long-term sickness and disability. This work would make their homes safer and warmer and so reduce the likelihood of NHS treatment and the need for a DFG adaptation required as a result of injury.

ForewordExecutive summary1 Introduction2 Research background3 Literature and methodological review4 Examples of home interventions reducing the risks of HHSRS hazards5 A new cost-benefit model using the cost of poor housing approach6 Estimating the reduction in cost to the NHS of home interventions7 Additional costs to society of not adapting homes for the disabled and vulnerable8 Conclusions9 ReferencesAppendix Literature review

Principal consultant and member of Housing and Energy Group at BRE