Poor Quality Housing, Domestic Fire Risk and the Prevention Agenda: The Role of the Fire and Rescue Services in Cross-Sector Housing Safety (HHS-2026-06)

About the Project

Poor quality housing is widely recognised as a key determinant of health and wellbeing, yet its relationship with domestic fire risk remains underexplored. While housing research has examined issues such as damp, overcrowding, disrepair, and inequality, less attention has been paid to how poor housing conditions and socio-economic deprivation may shape fire risk within the home. At the same time, UK Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) have increasingly adopted a prevention-focused role, working with households and partner agencies through initiatives such as Safe and Well visits. This creates an important opportunity to understand how fire services may identify and respond to wider housing-related risks.

This PhD, situated within the Healthy Housing Initiative, will investigate the relationship between poor-quality housing, deprivation, and domestic fire risk, and will explore the role of Fire and Rescue Services in cross-sector approaches to housing safety. The project will examine how housing conditions, overcrowding, energy insecurity, and related vulnerabilities may contribute to domestic fire risk, and how these risks are currently understood and addressed through prevention activity. The study will also explore the feasibility of FRS staff identifying, flagging, and referring housing-related concerns to relevant agencies, including housing providers and local authorities. In doing so, it will consider the opportunities and challenges associated with partnership working across housing, public health, and emergency services.

Using a mixed-methods design, the research is expected to combine analysis of fire incidents and housing-related data with qualitative interviews and case study research involving Fire and Rescue Services and relevant partners. The project will be developed in collaboration with Fire and Rescue Services, building on existing partnerships and offering the successful candidate the opportunity to engage closely with practice. The research will generate new evidence on an underexamined issue and contribute to debates on prevention, risk, and healthier homes.

For subject specific enquiries please contact: t.j.simcock@hud.ac.uk