20 May, 2009 - Liverpool City Council

A PIONEERING scheme which protects some of society’s most vulnerable people has been shortlisted for two major awards.

Liverpool City Council working with Liverpool Primary Care Trust, Mersey Fire and Rescue Service and the voluntary sector launched the ‘Healthy Homes’ initiative to prevent health problems caused by poor housing in the private rented sector.

And the innovative programme has been shortlisted for the Municipal Journal Awards (sponsored by the Department of Health) and a National Business Award which both take place next month.

Healthy Homes aims to improve people’s health, reduce winter deaths and increase life expectancy. Healthy Homes staff will be visiting more then 30,000 homes in Liverpool to assess the condition of their homes and identify those people with the greatest health needs.The Council’s Public Protection Business Unit will then use environmental health powers to tackle unhealthy and unsafe housing conditions.

Residents will also be supported in areas such as home safety, healthy eating and fuel poverty.

Councillor Berni Turner, Liverpool’s executive member for the environment, said: “People living in privately rented homes are as entitled to as safe and healthy an environment as people who own their own property. We are targeting homes that are unfit and forcing some private landlords to improve the quality of life for residents.

“I’m delighted that the council’s determination to improve the lives of residents with such an innovative approach has been recognised."

A campaign promoting awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide is also underway.