Growing up in poor housing conditions can affect children’s health and social wellbeing, a report has found.
The Economic and Social Research Institute published the research which showed the vast majority of children in Ireland are living in adequate housing. But, using data on children born in 2007-2008 from the Growing Up in Ireland study, the findings showed youngsters living in inadequate housing have worse health and developmental outcomes at nine years old than their peers.
Such premises include those with damp, lack of heating, limited space and in more disorderly neighbourhoods. James Laurence, the lead author of the Esri report, said: “A significant minority of children experience periods of inadequate housing over their childhood, and some spend years exposed to poor housing conditions, with negative impacts on their social and emotional development and health.
