An innovative project that works with Jaywick Sands tenants and landlords to improve housing conditions and ultimately the health of residents has been shortlisted for a national award.
The Jaywick Sands Healthy Homes Team (JSHHT) is a partnership between Tendring District Council and the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, working closely with GP practices, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, Peabody Housing and the Essex County Council Energy Hub team.
The work of the team has been recognised in the Outstanding Achievement category in the 2025 National Healthy Housing awards.
The four-strong team was formed in 2021 from a grant awarded to Tendring District Council from the NHS North East Essex Health and Wellbeing Alliance.
Lynn Stimson, interim Deputy Director for the NHS North East Essex Health and Wellbeing Alliance said: “I am delighted that the ground breaking work of JSHHT has been recognised in these national awards.
“We know that poor housing conditions can have a big impact on people’s health so the team provide a focused, pro-active approach to improve both the physical and psychological health of the residents of Jaywick Sands.
“The team work in the community identifying tenants with poor quality housing who are most in need of support due to their health. They take action by establishing links with the health system so residents can get the help and support the need as early as possible.”
The JSHHT team provide effective signposting and referral routes between partners to help Jaywick Sands residents with complex issues and needs. They support tenants and work with landlords taking enforcement action when required.
Councillor Andy Baker, Tendring District Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, said: “Being shortlisted for this award is recognition of the positive work that the JSHHT team has had on the local community and the investment that is being made into Jaywick Sands to improve living conditions, health and the overall quality of life of residents.”
Councillor Gina Placey, Tendring District Council Cabinet Member for Partnerships, added: “This innovative project provides a specialist team to address the housing and health needs of the population of Jaywick Sands. It gives Tendring District Council, working with our partners, the opportunity to target additional resource and capacity into the area to really make a difference, and its success is why we are looking to expand its coverage through new government funding.”
The National Healthy Housing Awards recognise outstanding contributions to improving the living conditions of individuals, particularly vulnerable populations.
The team will find out if they have won in December.
