Charities call for cross-party legislation to stop damp homes in Wales
Asthma + Lung UK Cymru are now calling for a post-election cross party consensus to bring in new legislation to help improve housing standards
A lung health charity is urging political parties to commit to 'action on cold and damp housing in Wales'
With most of the political parties in Wales backing action to tackle unhealthy and poorly insulated homes in their manifestos, Asthma + Lung UK Cymru are now calling for a post-election cross party consensus to bring in new legislation to help improve housing standards.
The charity says that cold and damp housing is dangerous to those with lung conditions, and can make symptoms in those who already have asthma or COPD worse, which could increase the likelihood of an asthma attack or flare up.
Calls for the new Welsh Government:
- To act decisively to prevent lung conditions linked to poor housing by learning from Awaab’s Law, which sets deadlines for addressing hazards like damp and mould in England
- To improve poor housing and to make homes warm and free from damp and mould
- To expand and clarify warm homes schemes, with the prioritisation of air source heat pumps, adequate insulation and appropriate ventilation to ensure safe indoor air and the minimisation of seasonal triggers in the home
- To adopt and implement legislation to ensure mould- and damp-free social housing
Bec Miller, Policy and Public Affairs Officer for Asthma + Lung UK Cymru said:
“Cold, damp and poorly insulated homes exacerbates lung conditions, making homes a dangerous place for the most vulnerable in our society.
“As the election manifestos have been released, we are pleased to see the majority of parties in Wales make commitments to extend warm homes schemes and improve energy efficiency. Some have also said they will take steps to tackle damp and mould which are extremely dangerous to lung health.
“We are therefore looking forward to working with new MSs to ensure the swift introduction of new legislation, so everyone feels safe and warm in their homes and are not left fighting for breath.”
In Asthma + Lung UK’s most recent annual survey, a third of people with lung conditions in the UK (33%) said that mould and fungi were triggers for them, causing symptoms such as wheezing, coughing and breathlessness.