What is a decent home?

Decent homes are important for the health and well-being of those living in them. Poor housing helps an area to get a bad reputation. That makes it an unpopular place to live, which in turn may lead to the breakdown of communities. In short decent homes are a key element of any thriving, sustainable community.

In order to be decent a home should be warm, weatherproof and have reasonably modern facilities. The Government believes that everyone should have the opportunity to have a decent home. It is aiming to make all housing association housing decent.

The Government made it their priority to reverse the decades of neglect and this standard was to be the cornerstone for improving people's quality of life in the home

The impact of these problems is as clear as the benefits of decent housing. There are strong associations between poor housing and poverty, deprivation, crime, educational under-achievement and ill health. People are discriminated against in looking for work or using services because of where they live. Whole neighbourhoods suffer from neglect.

By 2010, 95% of all social housing in the UK will need to be of a minimum standard, and the remainder improved soon after.

MHT London is working to ensure all our homes meet the Decent Homes Standard.