Emotions, policy and collective action in housing safety crises

This report explores policy, emotions and collective action through two case studies of housing safety crises. Both reveal failures of regulation, Government, and private sector interests, and have also driven widespread and long-term collective action on the part of affected residents to seek redress for the problems in their homes.

The building safety crisis in England, affecting multi-storey blocks of flats – this is characterised by problems identified after the Grenfell Tower fire, related to flammable cladding and insulation, missing fire breaks, and other safety problems. Progress to tackle these issues has been slow, with hundreds of thousands of households stuck in homes affected by building safety problems. Government funding schemes to fix problems have gradually broadened, but exclusions to support for some buildings and individuals remain.

The defective concrete blocks or ‘mica’ crisis in Ireland – this is characterised by the deterioration of concrete blocks, resulting in cracking and crumbling walls. In some cases, homes are also badly affected by damp and mould. There are estimated to be 5-6,000 homes affected in Ireland. A Government grant scheme to remediate defects opened in 2020. Amid concerns about the cost of accessing the scheme and shortfalls in funding, an enhanced funding scheme opened in 2023. Despite increased provision, there are important exclusions, for example relating to foundations and holiday homes.

The report draws on interviews with 28 individuals living through these crises.