The Impacts of Affordable Housing on Education: A Research Summary
Introduction
The research summary explores the significant impact of affordable housing on educational outcomes for children, highlighting how stable, affordable housing can create a supportive home environment that complements the efforts of educators1. The review, which builds upon previous literature, investigates how providing affordable housing can foster educational success for low-income children by promoting family financial stability, reducing mobility, and offering safe, nurturing living environments. The primary aim of this research is to provide policymakers and practitioners with key findings that can inform policy changes and build support across both the housing and education sectors.
The Impact of Moving on Education
Frequent or unwanted moves can negatively affect a child’s education
Moves can be driven by various factors such as job changes, the search for better housing, or escaping crime. However, moves due to unstable housing or rising costs can be detrimental to children’s educational outcomes3. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that a significant percentage of movers, particularly those living in poverty, move to find less expensive housing or due to eviction or foreclosure.
Residential mobility and changing schools can disrupt a child’s education
Children who change schools often experience declines in academic achievement, particularly during critical educational periods such as early development5. Residential moves, especially frequent moves or those by non-intact families, also negatively affect students. Impoverished children who move multiple times before the age of six demonstrate increased behavioural and attention issues. These moves often lead to interruptions in instruction, absenteeism, chaotic environments, stress, and disruption of peer networks. It is important to note that not all moves are detrimental; moving to access better schools can benefit a child’s academic performance. However, family and neighbourhood characteristics are key determinants of the propensity for moving and the likelihood of dropping out of school. Furthermore, high student turnover in schools can lower overall student achievement because of the need to devote resources to incoming students and the disruptive effects on curriculum pace.
The Role of Affordable Housing in Educational Stability
Affordable housing can reduce unwanted moves caused by financial issues. Foreclosure, for instance, is associated with higher rates of school mobility, and affordable housing and foreclosure counselling can mitigate this issue. Losing housing subsidies increases the chance of moving out of the neighbourhood. However, housing vouchers can reduce hyper-mobility, leading to more stable housing for families. The relationship between homeownership and positive outcomes is complex. While some research suggests homeownership has a positive impact, it is difficult to determine whether it is homeownership itself or factors like longer tenures and better neighbourhoods that affect a child’s educational outcomes. Homeowners often live in better neighbourhoods with better schools, higher-quality housing, and greater control over their space. However, studies on the impact of homeownership are limited by selection bias.
Mobility Policies and Access to Better Schools
Moving to stronger school systems can positively impact educational achievement, and policies that reduce concentrated poverty have seen positive outcomes. Research on the Gautreaux litigation in Chicago found that moves to suburban areas led to better educational results17. However, other mobility programs, such as the Moving to Opportunity (MTO) demonstration, have not consistently shown positive impacts18. Factors contributing to this include the programs failing to replicate the rigorous design of Gautreaux, children’s difficulty acclimating to new neighbourhoods, and policy mismatches between housing agencies and school systems. Some housing assistance programs, such as voucher programs with counselling, building affordable housing in low-poverty areas, and inclusionary zoning policies, aim to help families access better schools. While these methods can improve educational opportunities, there is no consensus on a preferred approach.
Overcrowding and Housing-Related Stress
Overcrowding is associated with reduced academic performance
Children living in overcrowded conditions often have lower math and reading scores, complete fewer years of education, and are less likely to graduate high school. Overcrowding can lead to reduced parental responsiveness, increased noise and chaos, and a lack of space to study. Additionally, it can negatively affect children’s behaviour and increase stress levels. Affordable housing can reduce overcrowding and give families the chance to live in less crowded conditions.
Health Hazards and Housing Quality
Substandard housing can lead to poor educational achievement.
Poor housing quality is linked to poor developmental outcomes for children. Exposure to lead paint, for example, can lead to developmental and educational deficits. Substandard housing can also cause health problems that lead to absenteeism. Conditions such as the presence of cockroaches, pesticides, and mould contribute to asthma, which can result in school absences. Affordable housing programs can address housing-related health hazards by funding rehabilitation activities and helping families move to better quality homes.
Community Development and Holistic Support
Affordable housing can act as a catalyst for holistic community development. Many developments provide on-site resident services such as afterschool programs, which can positively impact educational achievement. The type of program matters, and higher quality programs lead to better academic outcomes. Additionally, affordable housing developments can serve as anchors for broader community revitalization efforts that include improved schools30. Programs like the Choice Neighbourhoods Initiative and the Promise Zone Initiative encourage community transformation plans which address housing needs and enhance educational outcomes for residents.
The Impact of Homelessness on Education
Homelessness creates numerous educational barriers for children. Homeless children are more likely to drop out of school, repeat a grade, perform poorly on tests, and suffer from learning disabilities. Experiencing homelessness is more detrimental for infants and toddlers than for older children. Affordable housing can improve educational achievement by preventing homelessness and its associated disruptions.
Low Housing Cost Burdens
Research suggests that families with very low housing cost burdens may also struggle to spend on child enrichment due to limited income. A parabolic relationship exists between housing cost burdens and spending on child enrichment. Low cost burdens are associated with poor-quality housing and under-resourced neighbourhoods, negatively impacting cognitive development.
Housing, Neighbourhoods, and Schools
The “housing bundle” consists of the physical aspects of the home, as well as the location37. Affordable housing can improve educational outcomes by strengthening the housing bundle, either together or separately. Approaches to support children’s education include improving home quality and affordability within existing communities and helping low-income families move to stronger neighbourhoods and school systems. Mobility programs can be beneficial for families by moving to better school districts, but they can also have negative impacts on the social capital of “sending” communities. The socioeconomics of a school district is a crucial factor affecting outcomes. While there is a debate between place-based and people-based investments, both are complementary to achieve positive outcomes.
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