House Retrofits: Impacts of Sustainability Measures on Health

The UK faces an estimated demand for 345,000 new homes annually. Retrofitting the existing housing stock presents significant opportunities to mitigate housing shortages while addressing sustainability challenges. However, current retrofit initiatives have predominantly prioritised energy efficiency while neglecting health implications from retrofits. This paper examines the relationship between sustainable housing retrofits and health outcomes, exploring strategies to address these interrelated challenges. A literature review identifies links between health considerations in retrofits through the application of lean principles, particularly from a user value generation perspective. The paper highlights synergies between health, lifestyle, and technology factors and Lean. The findings indicate the need for robust data on the health impacts of housing retrofits, as well as participatory approaches that enable the prioritisation of needs of occupants. The evidence highlights the need for empirical research to develop solutions that integrate health considerations into retrofit policy and practice, ensuring that retrofits deliver benefits for both occupants’ well-being and environmental sustainability.