Healthy homes initiative: Initial analysis of health outcomes

Poor quality homes    
cause injuries and illness    
worth millions each year.    

The purpose of this evaluation is to determine whether the Healthy Homes Initiative (HHI) programme has improved health and social outcomes for families who have taken part, and if it offers value for money.

The aim of the HHIs is to increase the number of children living in warm, dry and healthy homes and to reduce avoidable hospitalisations and ill health due to housing-related conditions. The HHIs were established between December 2013 and March 2015 and cover 11 District Health Boards. Initially, the HHIs targeted low-income families with children at risk of rheumatic fever living in crowded households. The programme was expanded in 2016 to focus on warm, dry and healthy housing for low-income families with 0 to 5 year-old children and pregnant women.

Citation

Pierse, Nevil, Maddie White and Lynn Riggs. 2019. "Healthy homes initiative: Initial analysis of health outcomes." Motu Note #37, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, Wellington, New Zealand.