Evaluation highlights value of healthy housing
An evaluation of a Healthy Housing programme shows how a cross-government initiative can work well. The evaluation has also shown improvements in the standard of housing and the health and wellbeing of the families involved, as well as reductions in crowding.
Healthy Housing, launched in 2001, is a joint initiative between the Housing New Zealand Corporation and district health boards. It aims to reduce the risks and rates of housing-related diseases, and improve wellbeing for tenants, particularly children, in areas with high concentrations of Housing New Zealand houses, high levels of deprivation and high rates of potentially avoidable hospitalisations.
The programme was piloted in Onehunga, Mangere and Otara between January 2001 and June 2002 and then extended to Glen Innes, Panmure, Wiri, Whangarei, Kaitaia and Kaikohe.
Housing New Zealand area co-ordinators, public health nurses and families work together to assess what needs to be done to houses, and about living arrangements and health and social issues. Families and providers then implement agreed action plans to reduce crowding, improve the health of the occupants and link families to appropriate health and social services.
Various evaluative activities have been undertaken in the five years of the programme. Analysis of administrative data and a cost–benefit analysis were undertaken by Housing New Zealand. Evaluation of outcomes and the pilot evaluation were undertaken by Auckland UniServices, and an analysis of hospitalisation data by Counties Manukau District Health Board. In some cases, evaluative work is ongoing.
Housing New Zealand’s Acting Manager of Research and Evaluation, Patricia Laing, says the evaluation shows the interventions have improved the housing-related health of the state house tenants and increased tenants’ sense of wellbeing and community participation.
“The analysis of the hospitalisation data confirms families’ increased sense of wellbeing.” The pilot evaluation noted a 33% drop in potentially avoidable hospitalisations. The programme evaluation recorded a 37% decrease. “This downward trend is expected to continue over time thereby increasing the value of the initiative,” Patricia says.
There was also a small but significant benefit to cost ratio for Housing New Zealand, but Patricia says the cost–benefit analysis only measures some easily quantifiable indirect benefits. “The outcomes evaluation suggests that there are many additional benefits to tenants that can only be measured qualitatively.”
These benefits include: increased wellbeing among the tenants; reduced truancy and family fighting, especially between siblings; street kids returning home; adults going back to school; and families reconnecting with extended families and the wider community, including church groups.
“Evaluation of Healthy Housing indicates that the outcomes are being achieved and that these achievements will increase the quality of life for tenants and benefit Housing New Zealand and district health boards over time.”
Patricia says the outcomes evaluation also noted that Healthy Housing team members from Housing New Zealand and the district health boards go to great lengths to achieve positive results for families. “This dedication contributes to the success of Healthy Housing and the sustainability of the initiative.”
For more information, contact Patricia.Laing@hnzc.co.nz
