Affordable Housing and Health
Texas is short 864,000 affordable homes, and nearly half of renters are cost-burdened. Without strong housing policy, economic growth slows and communities suffer with costly impacts to local and state budgets and negative impacts to workforce growth, healthcare stability, and education outcomes.
Affordable, stable housing is a powerful health intervention: when families can afford a safe place to live, they experience less stress and housing-related instability, better access to nutritious food and medical care, and lower exposure to environmental hazards. Studies show that secure housing reduces rates of chronic conditions, improves mental health outcomes, and supports recovery from illness, while healthy, energy-efficient homes also cut utility costs and lessen childhood asthma and injury risks. Investing in affordable housing is therefore an investment in stronger community health and lower long-term healthcare costs.
Looking Toward the Future:
Healthy Partnerships that Pay Off
When families spend 30-50 percent of their income on rent and utilities, they’ll make sure food is on the table and a roof is over their heads. Typically, they’ll also forego doctor visits, dental care, medicines, and more.
Housing & Health
Time Again for Public Health Action
Poor housing conditions are associated with a wide range of health conditions, including respiratory infections, asthma, lead poisoning, injuries, and mental health. Addressing housing issues offers public health practitioners an opportunity to address an important social determinant of health.
A Research Summary
The Impacts of Affordable Housing on Health
Housing is well understood to be an important social determinant of physical and mental health and well-being. In the context of ongoing national and state efforts to reform health care, it is important for policymakers to understand the various pathways through which housing affects health.
An Overview of the Literature
Housing and Health
The impact of housing on health is now being widely considered by policy makers. Housing is one of the best-researched social determinants of health, and selected housing interventions for low-income people have been found to improve health outcomes and decrease health care costs.