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"Just because you haven't got as much money, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to live in a nice home.”

"Just because you haven't got as much money, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to live in a nice home.”

Across the country, hundreds of community leaders came together calling for safe, stable, and healthy homes for all.

A community leader is holding a sign that reads 'We are calling for safe and healthy homes that don't cost the earth.'

No matter where we live, where we’re from, or how much money we have, we should all have a safe and healthy place to call home, today and in the future.

Safe and healthy homes are a climate issue. Today, 58% of renters live in cold, damp, mouldy homes and 50% of UK homes have uninsulated walls. 2023 was the hottest year on record and 3,200 people died due to the spells of hot weather. Over half of households have reported overheating in bedrooms.

All year round, thousands of people are losing their lives because of poorly insulated homes.

On 20th June 2024, hundreds of community leaders came together across the country to ask for safe and healthy homes that don’t cost the earth.

Cardiff Citizens

Students dressed up in costumes representing homes that are too cold, too hot, damp and mouldy at a Cardiff Citizens Assembly
In Cardiff, students dressed up in costumes representing homes that are too cold, too hot, damp and mouldy, overcrowded and with energy bills that are too high.
A community leader from Cardiff citizens is speaking at a pulpit that reads 'Cardiff Citizens'.
Helen, member of the campaign for better homes: "Rather than suggesting people keep the heating on all year – which no one can afford, let alone people on benefits – why are they not insulating the walls? Why are they not improving the housing? Why are social tenants treated like this? Just because you haven't got as much money, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to live in a nice home. We’re organising workshops for tenants in west Cardiff - to educate them on their rights, and on how homes can be more energy efficient. We want tenants to have more power and agency - to support their mental health as well as their physical health."

"I’ve lived in places where when it rained it was like the walls are crying. With mushrooms in the kitchen, and mould on the carpets. In winter, it’s so cold that I can have the heating on all day and in the evening it’s still cold. My heating bills have doubled in the last couple of years - I don’t know people are meant to cope. My home is making me ill. My doctor even said this. And my kids, it’s making them ill too. Money paid in social rent needs to be put into urgent repairs and upgrade, or more funding put in by the UK Government- so people don’t have to be embarrassed about where they live." - Suzanne, a member of Cardiff Citizens.

Rhod Green the Archdeacon of Diocese of Llandaff signs the petition asking for home upgrades at Cardiff Citizens' Assembly.
Rhod Green, the Archdeacon of Diocese of Llandaff signs the open letter asking for a national strategy to make our homes safe and healthy whilst not costing the earth.

Greater Manchester Citizens

Five community leaders from Greater Manchester Citizens are holding signs asking for safe and healthy homes for all.
Decoy Media
(Left to Right) Rev John Arnold (Catholic Bishop of Salford), Karen Tyler (Petrus Community), Rev Ian Rutherford (Methodist Central Hall Manchester), Deacon Jenny Jones (Manchester and Stockport Methodist Circuit), Mags Bradbury (University of Manchester) met for a day of lament to remember those who lost their lives to poorly insulated homes.

“Today we remember every person who died over this last year because their home was damp and cold. Those who were ill because their home could not deal with extreme heat. Those who were forced to paint their walls black to hide the mould. The young children now developing respiratory problems.”

Three community leaders hold signs asking for safer homes. Rev Ian Rutherford remembers those who lost their lives to unfit homes.
Decoy Media
“Today we call for warm, healthy homes for everyone and for less money to be wasted on energy inefficiency. A thriving environment for us all to live in. We call for these things with compassion and respect.”

Birmingham Citizens

A group of people from diverse communities stand in support of a large printed open letter asking for safe and healthy homes for all.
Community leaders from seven institutions in Birmingham came together to sign the open letter and demand safe and healthy homes which don’t cost the earth.
Two young Lewisham Citizens leaders at an action holding signs that say 'we need healthy homes' and 'Lewisham needs safer homes!' Find out more
Salomé Revault d'Allonnes

We're calling for safe and healthy homes that don't cost the earth.

Add your voice to our petition now
Students dressed up in costumes representing homes that are too cold, too hot, damp and mouldy at a Cardiff Citizens Assembly Climate Justice

We want the world to be fair, clean and green. Civil society organisations across the UK are taking action to reduce inequalities and tackle the climate emergency.

Get involved

Posted by Salomé Revault d'Allonnes on 25 Jun, 2024