Housing and health regulations in Europe

A WHO/Europe review looked into the possibilities given by regulations to improve or protect health through improving housing conditions in seven European countries (Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Hungary, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom).

This report identifies gaps and options for improvement of the regulatory framework, and formulates policy options that could help the European Ministries responsible for health and for housing to design their future regulation and/or action plans in the field of housing. Data were gathered through two questionnaires developed by WHO/Europe, focusing on a) the main principles of the regulation regarding housing and health as well as the actors involved in its design, and b) specific housing threats.