What makes a healthy home? A study in Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract

ABSTRACT The quality of the indoor environment in dwellings is a key contributing factor to occupants' health. Existing studies have largely focused on establishing frameworks on healthy homes in directing housing policies and improving housing quality. However, there is little research investigating how occupants understand the notion of a healthy home and what elements they consider to be important for a healthy home. This is particularly the case in the New Zealand context. To address this gap, a questionnaire was undertaken consisting of 296 Aucklanders, probing the critical housing features that occupants believe affect the healthiness of a home. The results revealed that 1) the presence of mould and dampness, 2) a lack of thermal insulation and 3) the characteristics of sanitation facilities were the top three most concerning health-related risk factors. Factor analysis categorised 15 critical factors into three groups, namely: 1) sick building syndrome features; 2) water supply and sanitation features; and 3) thermal comfort features. The findings provide insights into the features occupants considered to be closely related to the healthiness of their homes. Occupants' perspectives can be considered by policy makers, housing agencies and housing developers in their decision-making tools to enhance building performance and community. wellbeing.