People’s Health Trust is pleased to announce a future funding programme – Better Homes Better Health. It will work with local tenants to improve housing conditions and health for tenants in the West Midlands, where many communities experience some of the highest levels of social and economic disadvantage, poor housing and health inequality in England.
The Better Homes Better Health programme responds to the impact that damp, mould, cold, overcrowding and disrepair can have on people’s health and wellbeing and will focus initially in Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
The programme will draw learning from the People’s Health Trust’s Homes for Health pilot programme, which demonstrated the value of community-led approaches in helping tenants improve housing conditions, strengthen their voice and support better wellbeing.
By strengthening trusted local organisations, the programme aims to help tenants understand their rights, take action on unsafe or unsuitable housing, and build a stronger collective voice on housing and health across the region.
Oak Foundation has awarded People’s Health Trust a grant of £1.28million towards the delivery of this programme, alongside a contribution of £220,000 from People’s Health Trust. This will enable the Trust to support grassroots organisations working alongside communities most affected by poor housing, insecurity and health inequality.
John Hume, Chief Executive of People’s Health Trust, said:
“We are delighted to announce this new programme for tenants in Birmingham and the Black Country, at a time when too many are living in homes that put their health at risk. This programme reflects our commitment to supporting community-led action on the building blocks of health, and will enable us to work with local people to determine how best to improve their housing conditions and therefore their health.”
The Better Homes Better Health programme is part of a wider focus for People’s Health Trust on the impact that housing has on health. The Trust is open to conversations about partnerships across the West Midlands and other parts of the country. More information about working with us is available online or by contacting Rob Carter (Head of Major Partnerships).
More information about the programme will be shared in due course. Sign up to our newsletter via our website to find out more in the months ahead.