The health burden of unhealthy homes in New Zealand: a call for more action and a change in perspective
The housing crisis in New Zealand poses severe health risks, particularly for children and vulnerable populations. Approximately 20% of homes are damp, cold, or mouldy, contributing to respiratory problems and hospitalisations. The condition of rental properties, often poorer than that of owner-occu...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
New Zealand Medical Student Journal Society
2024-12-01
|
| Series: | New Zealand Medical Student Journal |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.57129/001c.127912 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832586172331720704 |
|---|---|
| author | Gabrielle Ou |
| author_facet | Gabrielle Ou |
| author_sort | Gabrielle Ou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The housing crisis in New Zealand poses severe health risks, particularly for children and vulnerable populations. Approximately 20% of homes are damp, cold, or mouldy, contributing to respiratory problems and hospitalisations. The condition of rental properties, often poorer than that of owner-occupied homes, disproportionately affects lower-income and Maori households. The Healthy Homes Standards aim to improve living conditions by setting minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture control, and draught stopping. However, the reliance on landlord self-certification has limited effectiveness, placing the burden on tenants to report non-compliance. The principle of landlord reported compliance continues the narrative of placing inequitable burden on vulnerable communities, leading to a cycle of health disparities. This viewpoint piece highlights the need for a formal external certification process to ensure consistent adherence to standards. Establishing an agency to
certify rental homes and creating a registry would enhance transparency and accountability. A collaborative approach involving landlords, tenants, property managers, community groups, and health advocates is crucial for sustainable solutions. Prioritising tenant well-being and equitable living standards is essential to protect New Zealanders from the dangers of unhealthy homes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-058d7a6b2a54489cb81edab0489d3537 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1176-5178 1179-3597 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | New Zealand Medical Student Journal Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | New Zealand Medical Student Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-058d7a6b2a54489cb81edab0489d35372025-01-26T08:00:06ZengNew Zealand Medical Student Journal SocietyNew Zealand Medical Student Journal1176-51781179-35972024-12-01038The health burden of unhealthy homes in New Zealand: a call for more action and a change in perspectiveGabrielle OuThe housing crisis in New Zealand poses severe health risks, particularly for children and vulnerable populations. Approximately 20% of homes are damp, cold, or mouldy, contributing to respiratory problems and hospitalisations. The condition of rental properties, often poorer than that of owner-occupied homes, disproportionately affects lower-income and Maori households. The Healthy Homes Standards aim to improve living conditions by setting minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture control, and draught stopping. However, the reliance on landlord self-certification has limited effectiveness, placing the burden on tenants to report non-compliance. The principle of landlord reported compliance continues the narrative of placing inequitable burden on vulnerable communities, leading to a cycle of health disparities. This viewpoint piece highlights the need for a formal external certification process to ensure consistent adherence to standards. Establishing an agency to certify rental homes and creating a registry would enhance transparency and accountability. A collaborative approach involving landlords, tenants, property managers, community groups, and health advocates is crucial for sustainable solutions. Prioritising tenant well-being and equitable living standards is essential to protect New Zealanders from the dangers of unhealthy homes.https://doi.org/10.57129/001c.127912 |
| spellingShingle | Gabrielle Ou The health burden of unhealthy homes in New Zealand: a call for more action and a change in perspective New Zealand Medical Student Journal |
| title | The health burden of unhealthy homes in New Zealand: a call for more action and a change in perspective |
| title_full | The health burden of unhealthy homes in New Zealand: a call for more action and a change in perspective |
| title_fullStr | The health burden of unhealthy homes in New Zealand: a call for more action and a change in perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | The health burden of unhealthy homes in New Zealand: a call for more action and a change in perspective |
| title_short | The health burden of unhealthy homes in New Zealand: a call for more action and a change in perspective |
| title_sort | health burden of unhealthy homes in new zealand a call for more action and a change in perspective |
| url | https://doi.org/10.57129/001c.127912 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gabrielleou thehealthburdenofunhealthyhomesinnewzealandacallformoreactionandachangeinperspective AT gabrielleou healthburdenofunhealthyhomesinnewzealandacallformoreactionandachangeinperspective |