MILLIONS of older people face the threat of worsening ill-health and even death this winter because of the poor state of homes in Britain, a new study has revealed.

The “hidden housing crisis” demands “a national strategy to tackle poor-quality housing” from the government, the study by the Centre for Ageing Better has found.

The study exposes problems including rising dampness, water leaks, bad condensation, electrical or plumbing problems, rot and decay, being too cold in the winter and structural issues facing Britain’s over-fifties. 

It estimated that 4.5 million people were at risk because they suffer existing health conditions including respiratory diseases,  congestive heart failure, lung conditions such as asthma, heart disease and neurological disease.

The study states: “The government cannot hope to meet its missions on stabilising the NHS and growing the economy while the nation’s sub-par housing stock is making the country’s 50-plus population sicker.” 

People from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, living in London or those with a serious health condition or disability are even more likely to be affected, it found. 

The charity’s deputy director for homes, Holly Holder, said: “No-one should have to live in a home that damages their health, yet it is the norm for far too many people in England today.

“We are calling on the government to fix this hidden housing crisis by delivering a national strategy to tackle poor-quality housing across all tenures and committing to halving the number of non-decent homes over the next decade.”

Clare Wilkins of the National Pensioners Convention told the Star: “Many pensioners on low incomes or who are not on Pension Credit and have lost the Winter Fuel Allowance are cutting down further on heating.

“This makes issues like damp, drafts, condensation and mould worse. 

“People have health conditions and disabilities caused or made worse by unhealthy living conditions.

“This increases the need for health and care interventions and puts further pressure on a broken care system and a beleaguered NHS.”

Ms Wilkins called for “decent housing for all, more social housing and regulation of rents,” adding: “There need to be measures to compel landlords to let properties that are fit to live in and to carry out repairs timeously.”

A government spokesperson said its Warm Homes Plan and Plan for Change, as well as reforms to the Decent Homes Standard, will improve conditions for households.