Housing will be a key part of a new holistic approach to the health and well-being of local communities, according to a government committee.
Public health reforms, which began yesterday, will give more power to local-level bodies for decisions around NHS spending, according to CIH.
Housing officials, among others, will sit on new health and well-being boards to make decisions on issues wider than traditional NHS priorities.
A report from the Communities and Local Government select committee cited the changes as an opportunity for local authorities to tackle housing, education and economic development in order to improve health.
Clive Betts, chair of the CLG committee, said: ‘The return of a responsibility to improve the health and well being of local people represents an exciting opportunity for local authorities.
‘Housing, employment, and early years education are all vital determinants of people’s later health and well-being.’
The report also raised concerns over the complexity of the new system, in particular the ambiguity of responsibility and the funding procedure.
Mr Betts added: ‘With these changes it is clear that there is a shift of power and money from the Whitehall to local government and I welcome that. But the new arrangements are complex and responsibilities are shared across several bodies.
‘Under the reformed system, considerable power is to be invested in a range of new bodies. With such power must come accountability.’