Housing on the Front Lines

“Housing on the front lines” - Lecture 4 Notes Lecture Intro: Housing is a critical social determinant of health. Good quality housing impacts physical and mental health, acts as an enabler in accessing services, and forms a part of well-being. This lecture looks at the interface between housing and health in several population groups and related issues pertinent to them. Key Themes: 1. Housing Quality and Health Poor housing conditions, such as dampness, mold, and pests inside, can cause respiratory problems, allergies, and other health issues. - Overpopulation results in susceptibility to infectious diseases and degradation of mental health stemming from stress due to the lack of privacy. A social determinant of health for healthy living is safe, secure, and affordable housing. 2. Health and Homelessness ● Homelessness carries an immense risk of exposure to elements, loss of medical care, as well as high rates of both substance abuse and mental illness. ● Homelessness can exacerbate health issues and compromise the treatment and prevention of health conditions. ● General and adequate health care for such patients has, therefore, accordingly in the past been seen to require a linking mechanism that provides shelter through homelessness-targeting interventions (Housing First model). 3. Affordable Housing Inadequate housing affordability compels families to reside in unconducive living structures or the streets. The high costs of housing place a strain on household income that usually translates into lack of money to spend on other basic human needs, particularly food and health care. - Such policies range from the supply of affordable housing across all levels to the provision of housing subsidies. 4. Housing Discrimination ● Both past and current housing discrimination have resulted in the health disparities of populations that have been on fringes for an extended period. ● Long-term health impacts on communities created through redlining and segregation occur through limited quality housing, education, and health care. ● The elimination of discrimination encompasses the creation of laws that facilitate fair housing and the promotion of policies that encourage mixed housing. 5. Social Network Value ● Gentrification can result in the displacement of the original locals; community network loss may lead to displacement. - It is, in most cases, an improvement of infrastructure and amenities, though it displaces the low-income group. - A healthy community is thus established when there is a balance between development and displacement. FIG 2: Case Studies and Examples 1. Urban Housing vs. Rural Housing - An urban residential area has a high concentration of facilities; however, it faces the problem of high rent and poor housing. Improved conditions in the rural countryside, where health care and social service provisions would be poor. Settings need specific solutions to address their unique housing and health problems. 2. Indigenous Housing - The indigenous generally have substantial deficiencies in housing stock and quality in the traditional setting. Displacement, as well as chronic underfunding by the government, has been one of the leading causes. Decent housing reflecting culture and self-determined needs is at the heart of improved health. Policy Interventions Housing First ● Engage homeless people in supportive housing, without preconditions, in the hope that stable housing can facilitate the recovery process. - It is, however, not a panacea but effective in reducing homelessness, and improving health outcomes and well-being. Inclusionary Zoning ● A share of new housing developments must be affordable to low-income residents. ● The main goal is that of mixed-income communities, and the policy is mainly used to prevent displacement. Rent Control and Tenant Protections ● Maintain the cost of housing and consequently do not evict tenants or increase rent, enabling families with low or moderate incomes to stay in their homes. Community Land Trusts ● Community-owned land is used for affordable housing, ensuring long-term affordability and community control. ● It is structurally designed so that the houses on it become cheap in the long run, and this is through the ownership of the land, and therefore, it gives the community control of the same. ● It helps preserve communities from displacement and stabilization of the population. Opportunities, Challenges, and Considerations ● Balancing the development needed against the need to preserve affordable housing. Address root causes of housing insecurity: poverty and unemployment. ● Formulate a housing policy that is fair and inclusive, where everyone has an opportunity to be heard. ● Integrate health considerations in the formulation of housing policy and urban planning.