Housing's Positive Impact on Health Care

Research clearly demonstrates a positive correlation between the availability of affordable housing and lowering healthcare costs.

The following is excerpted from:
How Investing in Housing Can Save on Health Care
by Lisa Sturtevant, Ph.D., Janet Viveiros

Having access to safe, stable and affordable housing can lead to better physical
and mental health and improve overall quality of life in a variety of ways.  When families have access to affordable housing, they can spend more on food and health care, which can lead to better health outcomes. Housing in neighborhoods of opportunity can lead to less stress and social isolation and
better physical health outcomes, including lower rates of obesity. A safe and
secure place to live can help homeless individuals with chronic health conditions
access medical care, maintain good health regimens, and experience better
physical and mental health. Because of these links between housing and health,
investment in housing and resident services can potentially result in a net public
savings if spending on public health-related services is reduced.

In Seattle,
a Housing First
program resulted
in health cost
savings of $42,964
annually while
the cost of
providing housing
and services
was just $13, 440.

You can read the full report here: