Nearly half of young adults less happy in homes during heatwave
Nearly half of young adults less happy in homes during heatwave
Citizens UK have been listening to local communities from across the country, and homes have come up as one of the climate justice issues that has a major impact on people’s lives. Heatwaves make homes far too hot because many houses across the country do not have the insulation to keep the heat out. Recent polling shows the real impact heatwaves had during a summer the Met Office says is provisionally the UK’s hottest since records began.[1]
- Polling commissioned by Citizens UK from Survation (Aug 2026) shows that nearly half of young adults (age 18-24: 48%, age 24-34: 47%) reported being less happy in their homes during the recent UK heatwaves.
- When asked about experiences in their homes during the heatwave, 35% of all participants said they were feeling more irritated, with 33% saying they found it harder to relax.
- Findings also showed a ‘heatwave gender gap’: women were more likely than men to say they'd been made less happy in their home by the heatwaves (40% vs 28%).
- The research also showed a change to daily activities, with 38% of all polling participants saying they prepared fewer meals at home during the heatwaves.
People are being let down by Government and landlords who fail to repair their homes – an issue exacerbated by the extreme weather changes we see today.
This often hits certain groups the hardest: people on lower incomes, people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with health issues or those experiencing housing insecurity.
During the heatwaves, it was like I couldn’t escape the heat no matter where I went. Being at home with the fan directly on me felt no better than being outside in the sun. It was really challenging to do simple things like cook - I don’t think I cooked once over the course of the last heatwave. My home is usually a place where I can fully relax, but during those periods, it didn’t feel like that.
Daisy, 22, from Peterborough
"It can get really hot in my home. I also have a health condition which has been made worse by the extreme heat this year. As a result, I’ve been experiencing increased anxiety and heart palpitations – I worry about the long-term effects if this weather is now the new normal.
In my home, it’s also my responsibility to cook, clean and take care of my two children – one of which is under two years old. On days we’re experiencing heatwaves, this is so much more challenging. Whenever I cook, I have to have the fans directly on me otherwise the heat is unbearable. I feel the same even when I’m moving around my house doing chores, by the end of it I’m overheated and exhausted. I try to go to other people’s houses that I know are cooler, or even visit the park, because that is actually more comfortable than being in my home.
I also look after my elderly parents, and my mum in particular has been struggling this summer, saying that she feels dizzy and faint on the extremely hot days. This is quite stressful for me as I worry about her.
Sadly I know we're not the only ones in this position. We urgently need housing improvements that keep us and our families healthy and happy."
Iryna, Citizens UK leader
Polling marks the launch of Citizens UK’s Climate Justice campaign, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, which will work over the next three years to build broad coalitions of community organisations and encourage policymakers to implement long-term solutions to climate injustice.
Working alongside environmental charity PECT and climate communications specialists Round Our Way, the key focus areas are housing, transport and green spaces.
Citizens UK's Climate Justice campaign will help build a future that is fairer and greener, highlighting the stories of people across the country who are organising for green solutions that work for everyone.