Access to living spaces contributes to overall health
The Concern
Our Basic Human Needs
Housing provides us with shelter and a place to rest. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, when we have this, shelter and rest, it addresses the basic physiological needs of humans. And when we have housing that gives us a sense of security, perhaps in ways of it not being financially burdensome or not carrying the worries that you will be affected by crime, then a person’s basic need of safety can be established. But unfortunately for many residing in America, these basic physiological and safety needs are not fulfilled.
Housing Insecurity
By definition, housing insecurity covers a range of issues, but simply put is lack of security in housing. Here are some of the considerations that making housing insecure according to the Department of Health and Human Services:
- Quality of housing
- Proportion of income that goes toward rent or mortgage
- Neighborhood stability
- The quantity of people residing in a home relative to overcrowding
- Homelessness
The Numbers
A recent study by Giselle Routhier shows that “more than half of renters in metro areas across the U.S. experience at least one indicator of housing insecurity, and 25 percent experience three or more.”
Prior to the pandemic, approximately 20.8 million renter households — nearly 48 percent of all renter-occupied households — were housing cost burdened, including about 10.9 million who spend over half of their income on housing.
Renters and homeowners are cost burdened if they spend more than 30 percent of household income on housing and utilities.
The Effects
Though housing instability has several causes that have adverse effects on health, development, and education, the factor of affordable housing will be investigated.
With rising rent and limited housing, families have difficulty in find affordable housing. This causes families to live in overcrowded neighborhoods with housing that is substandard with little resources that promote health. Many families are financially burdened paying for unaffordable housing, making it difficult to cover over expenses like adequate food and health care.
The consequences of these conditions cause long-term effects on our most vulnerable population: children. A study demonstrated that those who lived in places where unaffordable housing was higher experienced more behavior problems, worse health, and school performances that were lower.
To understand more effects on housing instability, please see our news page that is updated with reports and sign up for our newsletter.
The Work
It’s a matter of working together
Providing living spaces that are affordable and meet basic human needs is not an easy fix. It requires an ongoing commitment between governments, businesses, organizations, and communities. SkyBuilders4All strives to be that foundation that unites these distinct groups that each play a critical role in the future of our development.
Through these collaborations communities can thrive to obtain economic mobility.
The Results
Healthier Homes, Families, and Communities
A research summary reports the positive effects of affordable housing.
The burden from paying the rent or mortgage is reduced allowing families to focus on providing better foods and health care. The stability in owning affordable housing reduces stress, depression, and other elements in health. It provides security and increases self-esteem. It gives opportunity for families to leave overcrowded housing and sadly, abusive homes. When we work to improve the conditions of home life by providing affordable living spaces, the benefits are evident. Read the full summary here.