Health and housing

Health and Housing Research

There is a close relationship between housing and health outcomes, and the Housing Executive carries out research to support, inform and evaluate policy in this area.

Assisted Living Technology for Tenants: An Evaluation of the Pilot Project (published October 2020)

In September 2017, the Housing Executive commenced a pilot project to install a range of assistive smart technology equipment into a small number of homes in the North West, to support tenants with disability or mobility issues. The project was delivered in partnership with the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) and Hive Studios, a Digital Community Social Enterprise.  This report, which is based on qualitative interviews with participating tenants carried out in 2019 by the Housing Executive’s Research Unit, summarises the outcomes of the pilot project in relation to tenancy sustainment, addressing mobility challenges, improving home security, and improving quality of life.

Housing and Older People - Housing Issues Aspirations & Needs

Between 2008 and 2013, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive examined the topic of housing and older people and published a number of reports on the subject.  More than a decade since the previous suite of dedicated research commenced, and in light of demographic changes and the evolving policy context, it was considered timely to revisit the subject.  Understanding the needs and aspirations of older people is important to a range of policy makers and stakeholders both within and beyond the housing sector and this research, which was undertaken for the Housing Executive by Fiona Boyle Associates with support from the Housing Executive Research Unit, seeks to contribute to the knowledge available on older people’s housing circumstances, needs and aspirations.

Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT): North Lisburn Supported Housing (2018)

At Meadowvale Court, Lisburn, the Cedar Foundation works in partnership with Triangle Housing Association to provide an independent living solution for adults over the age of 18 who have a brain injury, physical, sensory or neurological disability.  SMART assistive technology is available throughout the accommodation to maintain and promote independence and allows control over tenants’ home environment, for example opening doors and windows and turning on lights.

R F Associates were appointed to undertake an evaluation of the electronic assistive technologies in November 2017.  

The study set out to evaluate the role and impact of electronic assistive technologies in facilitating and enabling individuals to gain the optimum level of autonomy, control and independence in their own homes.

Environmental Control Systems (ECS): Scoping Review 2018

This scoping study set out to review existing service provision and help determine how co-ordinated Health and Social Care (HSC)/housing service provision of home environmental control technology could support disabled people (both under and over 18) to live independently.

The work focused specifically on systems that enable co-ordinated control of the home environment by a person living with a physical disability.

RF Associates, in association with Professor Suzanne Martin of Ulster University, were appointed to undertake the study for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in January 2017.

Delivering sustainable healthy homes and communities in Northern Ireland (March 2016)

The Housing Executive commissioned the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA), in partnership with Belfast Healthy Cities, to examine the operational links between planning, energy and health.

This report provides guidance and examples of good practice for planning, health, housing and energy professionals in using planning powers and responsibilities for community planning to support integrated local approaches to sustainable homes and communities, for energy and health and wellbeing.

Translating Housing: Berlin-Belfast (2014)

This report explores the similarities between both cities and the sharply contrasting ways that innovation in housing developments has helped create and maintain inclusive, sustainable and civil urban society.

Developed by University of Ulster Belfast School of Architecture, the research was supported by the Department for Social Development (now Department for Communities), NI Housing Executive, Strategic Investment Board, NI Federation of Housing Associations, Smartmove NI and the Forum for Alternative Belfast.


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