Creating healthier homes through smart data and community action.
Location: West Dunbartonshire
The Scotswolds Healthy Homes project is transforming indoor air quality in social housing, improving tenant wellbeing through data-driven insights and community engagement. Funded by the £600,000 5G Glasgow City Region (GCR) Smart and Connected Social Places Innovation Fund, the initiative combines advanced analytics, environmental sensors, and citizen science to create healthier living environments.
The Challenge
Indoor air quality is a growing concern in social housing, where poor ventilation can lead to damp, mould and respiratory health issues. Many tenants avoid opening windows due to heat loss concerns and external pollution, exacerbating indoor air problems. This project seeks to bridge the knowledge gap with data-driven education and targeted interventions.
The Innovation
By analysing environmental sensor data from 1,000 homes and deploying additional sensors in high-risk properties, the Healthy Homes project provides actionable insights for tenants and housing providers. Through workshops and engagement, tenants will also learn effective strategies for maintaining healthier indoor environments.
- Smart Sensors: Analysing temperature, humidity, and air quality (CO2 and Particulate Matter) across social housing properties.
- Community Engagement: Empowering tenants through workshops, citizen science initiatives and a short, animated film.
- Data-Driven Insights: Identifying ventilation issues and practical solutions for reducing moisture input and improving air quality.
This project is a partnership between industry leaders and housing experts:
- Scotswolds: Project management, sensor deployment, and tenant engagement.
- West Dunbartonshire Council Housing: Providing access to homes and environmental data.
- Cambridge Technical Consultants: Specialising in air quality research and analysis.
- Vodafone Business: Supporting sensor connectivity and data infrastructure.
Key results from the project will be shared at the Innovation Showcase Event on the 13 March 2025 in Glasgow. Find out more and register to attend.
For more information on the Innovation Fund, please contact Glasgow City Region at glasgowcityregion@glasgow.gov.uk
