Housing the Frontline: Can Emergency and Healthcare Workers Afford to Live Where They Serve?
We rely on firefighters, paramedics, nurses and other frontline professionals to support us in our moments of greatest need. But can they afford to live in the communities they serve?In this special live episode of Under One Roof, recorded at the University of Huddersfield as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026, we explore the often-overlooked relationship between housing, frontline workers and workforce wellbeing.From rising housing costs and limited access to affordable accommodation to the challenges of shift patterns and working in rural communities, we examine how housing pressures affect those delivering our essential public services.Drawing on research into organisational culture and wellbeing within UK Fire and Rescue Services, alongside wider perspectives on housing and healthcare, we discuss how housing challenges can influence employee wellbeing, recruitment, retention and the resilience of our public services.In this episode, we explore:Why housing affordability matters for emergency and healthcare workers.How shift patterns and location requirements can create unique housing challenges.The connections between housing insecurity, workforce wellbeing and staff retention.What these challenges mean for the future of our essential public services.Whether we're doing enough as a society to support the people we depend upon.Ultimately, we ask a bigger question: If we expect frontline workers to be there for us when we need them most, how can we better support them in return?🎙️ Under One Roof explores the connections between housing, health and wellbeing, bringing together research, evidence and different perspectives to understand how housing shapes our lives and communities.Enjoyed the episode? Follow Under One Roof on Spotify, share it with your networks and join us for future conversations.#UnderOneRoof #HousingAndHealth #WorkforceWellbeing #FireAndRescue #FestivalOfSocialScience #ESRCFestivalMore information: Newton, D., Zarjoo, M., Brown, P., Simcock, T., Garside, J., Stephenson, J., Eastburn, S., Pressley, C., Ferrari, E., Leather, D., & Gore, T. (2026). Housing affordability, cost-of-living and NHS workforce retention in a high-cost region of England: A multiphase study. SSM - Health Systems, 6, Article 100175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmhs.2026.100175 Garside, J., Stephenson, J., Newton, D., Eastburn, S., & Pressley, C. (2024). Health and Care Staff: Cost of Living Review: Staff and their Lived Experiences. Project information: Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) and Frimley Health and Care Staff: life in the cost-of-living crisis Ferrari, E., Pressley, C., Brown, P., & Simcock, T. (2024). Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) and Frimley Health and Care Staff: Life in the cost-of-living crisis: Summary Report. University of Huddersfield. https://healthy-housing.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BOB-Int-Nurse-Summary-Report-Draft.pdfBrown, P., & Simcock, T. (2023). Health and Care Staff: Life in the Cost-of-Living Crisis: Solutions Scenarios (Stage 3 Report). University of Huddersfield. https://healthy-housing.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Bob-Stage-3-Report.pdfThis podcast is part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026 and was made possible thanks to funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and funds world-leading research, data and postgraduate training in the economic, behavioural, social and data sciences. ESRC-supported research helps address some of society's biggest challenges, including productivity, climate change, public services, health, inequality and economic growth.
