Local authorities across the country are calling on the government to upgrade and modernise council housing.
The coalition, which is made up of 112 local authorities, says poor housing costs the NHS an estimated £1.4bn each year, whilst investment in warm and energy efficient homes could save £4bn in healthcare and social costs annually.
Councillor Douglas Johnson, Chair of Sheffield City Council’s Housing Committee said: “Together with our coalition partner councils across the country we’re asking the Government to create this new Green and Decent Homes Programme that the campaign has been calling for to create the warm, safe, decent homes we all want to see.”
The coalition has been in operation for over a year, but Sheffield City Council say they still lack the funding needed to improve homes and meet growing regulatory demands.
Sheffield Council manages more than 38,000 council houses across the region, with this latest programme looking to improve the standards of council homes.
Council Leader Tom Hunt said: “Investment in council housing is not just about shelter, it’s an investment in public health, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.”
Southwark Council, who are heading the programme, say local councils are asking for ‘at least £12 billion over five years to upgrade council homes, along with long-term funding certainty over 20 years’, in addition to a ‘streamlined funding stream to replace the current fragmented system’.
Councillor Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council said: “For millions of people, council homes are the foundation for living good and healthy lives, and are vital to solve the housing crisis.
“Many of England’s council homes were built in a different age, and we need a bold, long-term national programme of investment to bring them up to modern standards, while also creating hundreds of thousands of green jobs.”