Housing and Health - What have we been hearing?
However, your house and where you live can have a larger impact on your health than you might think, and that is why we have created our first housing report based on your feedback.
On a national scale, The Health Foundation has found that 23% of individuals in overcrowded homes suffer from poor mental health, and in the most recent 5 years of data those in overcrowded homes were more likely to report poor mental health than those in non-overcrowded homes.
Across Healthwatch Kent, Healthwatch Medway and Mental Health Voice we have received 94 different pieces of feedback that related to housing or homelessness.
59 pieces of feedback came between October 2023 and November 2024 from either Mental Health Voice or the Signposting, Information and Research Line operated by Healthwatch Kent and Healthwatch Medway.
Common themes include support during homelessness, housing conditions, rehousing issues and access to social housing.
Of the 11 pieces of positive of positive feedback we identified, 9 cases were around mental health support provided by the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. 5 of these cases included mental health support for those that are homeless.
The outreach nurse supported my health care from being homeless to now being housed. I trust her and would ask her for any support in relation to my health
The negative feedback we received ranged from mental health crisis when homeless, housing issues after being discharged from mental health care and antisocial behaviour from neighbours or flatmates.
I was made homeless after losing my job… My GP referred me to the crisis team and I’ve had nothing from them since
I do not want to go back to my home because of my neighbours.. I live in social housing surrounded by people with serious problems and antisocial behaviour
From the feedback that we have gathered on housing and homelessness we have formulated a set of recommendations, which will be available to read once the full report has been published.
In the meantime, if you would like to leave some feedback about how your housing situation, please submit a Have Your Say form here.
