APPG Urges Government to Prioritise Healthy Homes and Buildings in National Policy
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Healthy Homes and Buildings has issued a compelling call to action, urging the UK Government to embed health and wellbeing principles into housing policy and legislation. Their latest key messages document highlights the urgent need to address the country’s unhealthy housing stock, which is contributing to poor health outcomes, rising NHS costs, and deepening social inequality.
Who are the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)?
The APPG is a cross-party group of MPs and Peers, supported by a wide range of stakeholders from industry, academia, and the public sector. Together, they are working to influence policy and raise awareness of the critical link between the built environment and public health. Their collaborative approach ensures that the voices of experts, practitioners, and communities are heard in shaping future legislation.
Six key steps for change
According to the APPG, up to 90% of our time is spent indoors, yet 1 in 10 people in the UK live in poor quality housing[1]. The cost to the NHS from housing-related health issues is estimated at £1.4 billion annually[2]. The APPG argues that new and existing homes must be designed, built, and retrofitted to higher standards that prioritise both energy efficiency and occupant wellbeing. Whilst improving energy efficiency of homes and buildings is part of the healthy equation, we must also ensure that our understanding and interventions are truly holistic in approach and delivery.
The group has announced six key steps for change:
1. Commit to a fully funded National Retrofit Strategy
Embed health and wellbeing standards into retrofit programmes, leverage both public and private finance, and create high-quality green jobs to support the transition.
2. Mandate minimum housing quality standards
Invest in large-scale regeneration of substandard housing to reduce crime, improve safety, and build stronger, more resilient communities.
3. Align housing and economic policy
Deliver high-quality, healthy, and affordable homes at scale by ensuring housing policy supports broader economic and social goals.
4. Make healthy, energy-efficient housing central to Britain’s clean energy strategy
Recognise the role of housing in achieving net zero and improving public health, making it a cornerstone of the UK’s clean energy ambitions.
5. Establish better governance
The APPG recommend creating a cross-departmental committee and/or appointing a dedicated Minister and department to tackle the problems caused by unhealthy homes and buildings.
6. Integrate health and wellbeing principles into future legislation
Ensure that all future housing and building regulations consider the impact on physical and mental health, embedding wellbeing into the heart of policy.
Elmhurst Thoughts
Speaking on behalf of Elmhurst Energy, Andrew Parkin comments:
“This is vital work from the APPG that highlights the undeniable link between the quality of our buildings and the health of the people who live and work in them. At Elmhurst Energy, we believe that energy efficiency and health must go hand in hand. Energy Assessors are uniquely positioned to support this mission by helping to establish a health rating for buildings complementing the existing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). Elmhurst will be supporting the APPG and look forward to further involvement after the summer recess.”
The APPG’s message is clear: the time for action is now. Healthy living and working environments which are efficient and safe really help the most vulnerable in our society. Energy efficient buildings require less energy and help deliver lower energy bills and reduce carbon emissions which benefit the whole of society.”
Further Resources:
https://healthyhomesbuildings.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/HHB-APPG-2-Pager-FINAL.pdf
[1] https://healthyhomesbuildings.org.uk/
[2] https://healthyhomesbuildings.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/HHHB-manifesto-v2-single-pages-3.pdf