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Home> Our Work> Climate and sustainability> Climate resilience

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.

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

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. Throughout June 2026, we worked with CIH on a 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.

Media story: One in six babies living in overheated homes

On 25 June, we published new analysis by the NHF and CIH showing that more than 70,000 babies in England – equivalent to one in every six – are living in overheated homes.

This was reported by The Guardian, BBC News, Financial Times and The Independent, as well as BBC radio and LBC.

Press release

Webinar: Tackling overheating in hot homes

On 25 June, we recorded a webinar discussing:

  • Lived experiences of overheating.
  • The importance of nature-based and passive solutions.
  • How they can be deployed to support social housing residents and keep them safe during hot weather.
Watch

Blogs

The Melting Metropolis: everyday experiences of overheating homes

Dr Jon Winder from the University of Liverpool shares findings from the Melting Metropolis research project, including vital insights into the lived experiences of overheating homes.

Read

Older private renters and overheating: at the crossroads of risks

Maud Gozlan, Senior Policy Officer at Independent Age explains why thermal comfort isn’t seasonal - for older people in particular, extremes temperature on either end of the scale can have serious consequences.

Read

The dangers of overheating are invisible to those most at risk

Victoria Brown, Policy Executive at Foundations explains that our summers are getting hotter and asks when the teams and tools that we have to protect the most vulnerable will catch up.

Read

Hot people in hot homes – cool heads needed 

Polly Turton, Head of Climate Action and Public Health at Shade the UK says to make our homes safe in the heat we need to use a combination of ‘nature-based’, ‘passive design’, and ‘active ventilation and cooling’ measures.

Read

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.

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

Who to speak to

Lizzi Hearn, External Affairs Manager

Related content

The Quality Homes Network, 14 July 2026

The Quality Homes Network, 5 November 2026

Media story: One in six babies living in overheated homes
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