The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has warned MPs that England’s housing crisis is a public health emergency, with millions living in unsafe homes that cause serious illness, exacerbate inequality, and—in extreme cases—lead to death.
In a submission to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee’s inquiry into housing conditions, the Coalition highlighted widespread failures in both social and private rented housing, including persistent damp and mould, poor insulation, and inadequate heating systems.
Drawing on frontline evidence from health workers and social workers, the Coalition cited:
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A Medact report revealing that three-quarters of health workers regularly treat patients whose health is harmed by poor housing.
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Social Workers Union data showing that 21% of social workers have seen child safeguarding cases linked to cold, damp or unsafe homes.
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Persistent delays in essential repairs and a lack of accountability for landlords across both sectors.
A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said:
“Cold, damp homes are not just uncomfortable—they’re dangerous. Children are being taken into care because of unfit housing. People are ending up in hospital. In some tragic cases, people are dying.
“This is a public health emergency. We need urgent action to strengthen housing standards, fund local enforcement, and ensure that no home is unfit to live in.”
The Coalition’s evidence also raises serious concerns about recent watering down of the Renters’ Rights Bill, including pro-landlord amendments passed in the House of Lords that weaken tenant protections and delay implementation.
The submission calls for:
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Full implementation of Awaab’s Law across both social and private rented sectors.
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Strengthened Decent Homes Standards with clear energy efficiency targets.
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National minimum standards for temporary accommodation, which currently houses thousands of families in substandard conditions.
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A national Housing Health and Retrofit Programme to deliver repairs and upgrades, especially in the poorest-performing homes.
ENDS
The full submission is available to view in this pdf.