Our Priority Themes

Our thematic approach to housing, health, and wellbeing

At the Healthy Housing Initiative, our research is organised around six priority themes that reflect the most urgent challenges at the intersection of housing, health, wellbeing, and systems change.

These themes provide a clear framework for our research and evidence-building activity, helping us connect projects, publications, and insights into coherent programmes of work. Each theme acts as a hub, bringing together evidence that informs policy, practice, and innovation in housing and related sectors.

Our Priority Themes

These themes guide our research, collaborations, and impact, helping us address the most pressing housing and health challenges facing communities today.

Smart Homes, Big Data

We investigate the ethical dilemmas surrounding smart technologies and big data in the home — including privacy, consent, and data security. Our research explores how assistive tech and connected systems can improve independence, integrate housing with health and social care, and address poor housing conditions while keeping ethics and equity at the forefront.

Green Homes, Healthy Lives

We examine how housing can adapt to climate change through energy efficiency, retrofitting, and climate resilience. Our work focuses on sustainable, low-carbon homes that support health and wellbeing, ensuring that climate action and healthy housing go hand in hand.

Safe, Secure and Healthy Homes

We research the links between housing quality and health, focusing on damp, mould, ventilation, fuel poverty, and their impact on wellbeing. By identifying effective interventions and analysing socio-economic impacts, we generate evidence to guide policy and practice toward healthier, safer homes for all.

Shaping Cultures, Driving Change

We explore how organisational culture and leadership influence performance, safety, inclusivity, and wellbeing in housing and emergency services. Our work develops frameworks that improve workplace culture, strengthen staff resilience, and support better decision-making and outcomes.

Housing Across Life Stages

We study how housing meets diverse needs across the life course — from young people to ageing populations, migrants, and refugees. Our research identifies design, support, and policy solutions that create accessible, inclusive, and enabling homes for every stage of life.

Housing Policy in Action

We evaluate the impacts of housing reforms, workforce challenges, and system-wide changes on health and wellbeing. Our work focuses on real-world policy effects, integration across sectors, and solutions that improve housing and health outcomes in practice.