A prospective HIA of a Selective Licensing scheme in the South Wales Valleys Maria Uren Health Improvement Co-ordinator – Heads of the Valleys Welsh Local Government Association

Inequalities in health In RCT 29 of the 152 LSOA are within the 10% most deprived in Wales In contrast – 4 LSOA rank in the top 152 A difference in life expectancy of 5 years depending on where someone lives in the Borough

Tylorstown

Community profile - Tylorstown TylorstownRCTWales PopulationCount General health: Good% General health: Fairly good % General health: not good% People with limiting long term illness% : Economically active, full time% : Economically active, part time% : Economically active, self employed% : Permanently sick / disabled% : No qualifications% All HouseholdsCount Owner occupied: Owns outright% Owner occupied: Owns with a mortgage or loan.% Rented from: Council% Rented from: Housing Association% Rented from: Private landlord% Rented from: Other%

Housing and Health

Selective Licensing Aims to tackle – Significant and persistent anti social behaviour, or low housing demand – where house prices are low; there is high occupancy turnover; high density of private rented accommodation and a number of empty properties

Selective licensing and Health

Health Impact Assessment; A tool to ensure policies, programmes and projects are assessed for their effect on health, and to show they are contributing to reducing inequalities – or at very least not increasing them. (National Assembly for Wales)

Types of HIA’s Prospective Retrospective Concurrent Appraisal Techniques Rapid Appraisal Comprehensive Appraisal Intermediate Appraisal

The HIA Model Screening Scoping Assessment Describing the impacts Evaluation

Step 1 - Screening Physical effects on health Housing which is badly designed or poorly maintained The effect of domestic noise, impacts of overcrowding Effects on social wellbeing Effect on educational attainment Crime and the fear of crime in a community Housing and nutrition

Step 2 - Scoping Stakeholder and Community participation In- depth Interviews – Environmental Health Practitioner Local Teacher Professional living in the area Focus Groups – Mother and toddler group Dad’s group

Questions to Stakeholders 1.What do you think are the greatest threats to health and wellbeing in Tylorstown? 2.What aspects of housing do you think most damage health? 3.Do you think that any of the issues identified so far could affect the community as a whole? 4.What changes to housing in Tylorstown do you think could most improve health? 5.Over 30% of housing in Tylorstown is rented – do you think that this affects the community or the health of the community at all? 6.The 2004 Housing Act introduces the provision to require landlords in certain areas to have a license. Do you think that stricter, or closer monitored action in relation to these properties could improve health? 7.The legislation considers areas of low housing demand (empty properties and derelict building) and anti social behaviour – do you think that these issues affect health and how?

Step 3 – Appraisal / Assessment; establishing the health impacts Risks to health and wellbeing associated with the area; Poor quality and lack of suitable housing - overcrowding, fuel poverty Private rented stock not regulated by Authorities Landlords perceived to act as they wish, no code of conduct for them to adhere to in relation to the services they provide Inequalities in health that exist between Tylorstown and other areas within Rhondda Cynon Taf Deprivation generally Accumulation of vulnerable groups in the area Antisocial behaviour, Crime and fear of crime, Drug and alcohol misuse

Beneficial Impacts of a Selective Licensing scheme; Reduction in number of flats and increase in suitable family homes Statutory sector more aware of the accommodation being let in their area Properties would be routinely inspected. Housing is seen as a prerequisite to good health, the scheme would ensure that housing, often accommodating the most vulnerable in society will not compromise their health and wellbeing Improvement in housing would be a step to regenerating the whole community and attracting investment to the area All properties meet a minimum standard prior to being let – reducing tenant turnover and protecting vulnerable groups

Negative impacts of a Selective Licensing scheme; ‘Big Brother’ effect – statutory sector would be in a position to monitor families closely Landlords may increase rents as improvements are made Possibility of vacant buildings if landlords do not undertake necessary works and properties are not deemed suitable to let.

Step 4 - Decision making – Describing the impacts An effectively delivered scheme would impact on health by; Ensuring accommodation, and landlords are regulated, and are providing safe – good quality housing that meets a set of predefined standards Contribute to a reduction in antisocial behaviour, crime and the fear of crime in an area Provide housing to vulnerable groups that will promote their mental, physical and social health and wellbeing Contribute to an improvement in health by addressing the wider determinants

Step 5 – Monitoring and Evaluation Housing, health & wellbeing Housing & Community Regeneration Healthy Public Policy?

In Conclusion…. Ensure accommodation, and landlords are regulated, and are providing safe – good quality housing, that meets a set of predefined standards Contributing to a reduction in anti social behaviour, crime and the fear of crime in an area Providing housing to vulnerable groups that will promote their mental and physical health and wellbeing Contribute to an improvement in the wider determinants of health through empowerment of the population, a reduction in social exclusion and community regulation

Hypothesis generated; The introduction of a Selective Licensing scheme, will have a positive health impact on the residents of the private rented tenure, the community as a whole will improve as a result in an improvement in the housing stock

Any questions…………….? Thank you for listening. Maria Uren