Climate resilience

Climate change is accelerating the frequency, duration and intensity of extreme weather events like flooding and heatwaves in the UK. These represent an increasing risk to social residents and homes, and adapting to the changing climate will be crucial for providing safe and high-quality homes and services moving forwards.

The NHF is prioritising climate resilience as an important part of our new business strategy. We are committed to leading the sector on flood resilience and overheating by supporting members to take action to minimise climate impacts on their residents and homes, as well as raising awareness of the issue at a national level.

Overheating campaign

Overheating in UK homes is an unfolding public health crisis, with temperatures rapidly rising to levels our housing is not designed to cope with. In June 2026, we are working with CIH on an campaign to raise awareness of overheating.

Overheating occurs when indoor temperatures rise to an uncomfortable level, typically exceeding 25C or 27C. Prolonged exposure to high indoor temperatures can result in severe health issues, especially for babies and young children, older people and people suffering from long-term health conditions. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke, cardiovascular issues, sleep disturbance and mental health problems are all linked to high temperatures in the home too.

The risks associated with overheating affect some of us more than others. Lower-income households may be unable to afford electric fans, air conditioning or other cooling measures like shutters if living in a rental property.

One in eight households reported experiencing overheating in 2023, according to latest English Housing Survey data.

Half of UK homes are currently at risk of overheating according to analysis from a recent Arup report commissioned by the Climate Change Committee.

Campaign aims

Raise awareness of the health implications of overheating and the particular vulnerabilities of certain groups.
Raise the salience of overheating with politicians and the wider public, and signal the social housing sector as a key partner for government as it addresses this growing national risk.
Share and facilitate best practice across the sector.

We were pleased to see the government’s recent commitment to tackle overheating in the Warm Homes Plan. We are calling on the government to work with the providers of social housing to develop the detail and deliver on the plan – particularly on the integration of passive cooling measures into social housing funding schemes.

Get involved

Join us to hear about lived experiences of overheating and learn about the importance of nature-based and passive solutions, and how they can be deployed to support social housing residents and keep them safe during hot weather.

What you can expect from the campaign

A range of blogs exploring lived experiences of overheating, including among vulnerable groups.
A webinar on 25 June on tackling overheating in hot homes, with expert speakers covering various political, social and technical dimensions of the issue.
A media story on overheating risk.
A letter to the editor with signatories from across the sector and beyond, calling for increased collaboration on overheating solutions

CIH, our campaign partner, will also be publishing a range of resources that we will share.

We will also be writing to government officials asking them to work with the sector on the Warm Homes Plan announcements, as well as convening a roundtable with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), chaired by former housing minister Eddie Hughes, where experts from across the sector can discuss collaborative heat resilience solutions.

Get involved by attending the webinar, sharing our content or reaching out to us about how you're addressing overheating.

Who to speak to

Lizzi Hearn, External Affairs Manager

Lizzi.Hearn@housing.org.uk