Without Affordable, Accessible, and Adequate Housing, Health Has No Foundation

Disparities in access to safe, affordable, and adequate housing contribute to health inequities worldwide. Today’s housing disparities are rooted in the increasing commodification of housing that has taken precedence over the need for shelter, a basic human right. In the United States, historical and contemporary policies have created and maintained racial, ethnic, gender, and other systemic disparities in opportunities to access economic resources and quality housing. A 2022 report by the National Association of Realtors showed that although homeownership rates in the United States increased by 1.3% in 2020, the highest annual rise recorded, homeownership rates for Black Americans (43.4%) remained lower than White Americans (72.1%).

Such housing disparities can impact both the physical and mental well-being of populations. For example, mortgage foreclosures have been associated with worse mental health and physical symptoms like trouble sleeping, chest pain, and stomach cramps. Furthermore, the impacts of foreclosure go beyond individuals directly affected. Existing research demonstrates that those who resided in neighborhoods that experienced high foreclosure rates were more likely to seek treatment in hospitals and emergency rooms for various conditions including mental health, stroke, and heart attacks.

Also Read: A Study of Affordable Housing in the City of Bloomington, Minnesota