Project Healthy Indoor Environment (HIE)

On average, people spend 70% of their time in their own homes. (source: RIVM) Good air quality, also in rental properties, is therefore very important. The ‘Healthy Indoor Environment’ project mapped out the problems experienced by those involved and the methods already in place to realise healthy indoor environments in rental homes. The existing knowledge and experience from Belgian and Dutch Limburg was exchanged and bundled. Through info graphics and training, the results were shared and passed on.

Focus of the project

The project ‘Healthy Indoor Environment’ led to

• more insight into the problems experienced by both tenants and landlords in the field of healthy living
• knowledge about the informative value of existing materials and methods, whether they stimulate behavioural change and whether they are feasible.

The results were shared with all stakeholders and are used to improve the quality of the indoor environment of rental housing.

Research

Within the project, specific research was carried out among tenants, landlords and other parties involved in the quality of social housing. In this way, insight was gained into the problems that these parties experience in the field of healthy living. In addition, existing materials and methods for healthy living were tested for their informative value, incentives for behavioural change and feasibility. The target group survey was carried out in 3 regions in Belgium and in 3 regions in Dutch South Limburg. The insights were used to develop more targeted awareness materials and methods that reach the target group and actually stimulate behavioural change. Read more about this in the final report (only available in Dutch).

Closing conference

During a closing conference, the results of the project were discussed with all actors working on social housing, indoor housing and the environment in Belgian and Dutch Limburg. Rob van Aalsburg gave a presentation on Indoor Environment and Health. Marjanne Stranger gave a presentation on Indoor Environment and Air Quality. Finally, Fran Bambust gave a lecture on Indoor Environment and Desire, in which she explained what is needed to bring about a change in behaviour. The presentations are available on the event page.

Results

To make the results accessible to everyone, they were presented visually in two infographics. One infographic is aimed at citizens and shows the desired behaviour ‘Open your window’. The other infographic shows the structure and results of the project.

Furthermore, the results were bundled in a report.

The insights gained can be used by stakeholders, such as municipalities and housing associations, in future policy implementation and policy preparation with regard to the preventive policy Environmental Health Care.

Publications

In the media