The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) has renewed calls for Southwark residents to participate in its investigation into overheating homes.
The investigation, which starts this month, will see heat monitors placed in people’s homes for several weeks to record temperature, humidity and pollution levels over the summer.
TBIJ particularly wants to hear from older people and ethnic minorities, especially those from Latin-American communities.
Its investigation is centered on Southwark and people can use this postcode finder to see if they’re eligible to take part. Everyone selected gets a voucher.
According to the Climate Change Committee, the UK Government has done little to address the fact that unsuitable housing can make people’s experience of the heat worse.
Southwark was the UK’s second hottest area in 2021 and experts say rising global temperatures could yet turn up the heat on residents this summer.
There are also worries that permitted developments – often former offices and warehouses converted into flats – lack the features needed to stay cool.
According to the leading human rights watchdog Human Rights Watch, extreme heat disproportionately impacts the young, old and people with disabilities.
Those interested in taking part in TBIJ’s investigation should visit this landing page where they can find out more. TBIJ’s historic investigations on the housing crisis can be found here.