The health of millions of citizens is being threatened by the homes they live in. For decades experts have been complaining that millions of people are living in sub-standard or dangerous accommodation.
Recent research by the Building Research Establishment estimated that illness caused by poor housing costs the NHS in England £1.4 billion a year.
There is a "decent homes" standard set by government, but the latest English housing survey - commissioned by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities - found 3.5 million homes failed to reach the minimum requirement.
Of those, 2.2 million have what is called a Category 1 hazard, meaning they present the highest risk of serious harm or death.
Damp and mould - dangers associated with allergies, respiratory disease and damage to the immune system - are found in almost one million homes in England.
5% of social rented properties had damp, 200,000 homes.
2% of owner-occupied properties are damp, which is around 300,000 homes.
10% of private rented have damp problems, which is more than 400,000 homes
It has taken the shameful, needless and unnecessary death of a two-year toddler from respiratory complications because of mould and damp in his local authority home.
What does Awaab Ishak's death tell us about England's housing? - BBC News
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