Housing
Affordable, high-quality housing is the foundation for healthy, thriving households and communities. Local planners can use the recommendations in this Policy Action Area to support housing affordability, stability, and quality – all of which are tied closely to health, education, and community power.
All residents should be able to afford adequate housing without giving up healthy food, medical care, or other necessities, or accepting unsafe housing conditions. With budgets stretched to the breaking point, low-income renters also experience housing insecurity and are vulnerable to displacement from their homes and neighborhoods.
All residents should be able to afford adequate housing without giving up healthy food, medical care, or other necessities, or accepting unsafe housing conditions. When housing cost burdens are high, individuals and families must make difficult choices with limited options.
Everyone should be able to live in a safe and habitable home. Poor quality and unstable housing quality exposes residents to toxins, mold, pests and conditions that can trigger asthma and increase risks of injuries.
People should be able to live in housing with enough space for everyone living there. Uncrowded housing can improve mental health including stress and depression; decrease the spread of communicable diseases like tuberculosis; and improve children’s wellbeing and educational outcomes.
All residents should be able to afford adequate housing without giving up healthy food, medical care, or other necessities, or accepting unsafe housing conditions. Everyone should have the opportunity to build wealth over time by purchasing a home, which can protect against rising rents and promote social ties and neighborhood stability.