Understanding the mental health impacts of poor quality private-rented housing during the UK's first COVID-19 lockdown. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Newton, Dillon; Lucock, Michael; Armitage, Rachel; Monchuk, Leanne; Brown, Philip
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 78(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Private-rented housing -- Housing conditions -- COVID-19 -- Mental health -- Social and material vulnerability; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102898
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: This paper examines the mental health impacts of poor quality private-rented housing in the north of England during the UK's first COVID-19 lockdown. The paper draws on data collected from semi-structured telephone interviews with 40 renters in the private-rented sector. We use the Power Threat Meaning Framework to highlight how substandard housing was a social and material vulnerability which, underpinned by powerlessness, resulted in threats that created and exacerbated the mental-ill health of precarious private renters. The paper suggests the pandemic and increased time spent in unhealthy places of residence can create stresses at a time of broader structural fragility, and calls for the greater engagement and integration of health practitioners in the future development of housing policy at all levels. Highlights: Explores mental health impacts of COVID-19 lockdown for private renters in poor quality and precarious housing. Stresses of private-rented housing were 'social and material vulnerabilities' that contributed to mental ill-health. Calls for engagement of health practitioners in developing future housing policy as part of a preventative health system.