Housing as a hub for health, community services, and upward mobility

March 15, 2018                       By: Stuart Butler & Marcela Cabello

There is a growing recognition that, for people and neighborhoods to be healthy and successful, different sectors must work together and that investments in one sector can bring dividends in others. Housing, for example, is increasingly understood to be an important determinant of success in life, affecting health, access to education, and the opportunity for upward mobility.

The condition and location of a family’s home can affect such things as respiratory health and “toxic stress” among children, which can have lasting effects on individuals throughout their lives. The availability of good social services, positive social networks, and job opportunities can determine whether a family achieves the American Dream or not.

In “Housing as a hub for health, community services, and upward mobility” (PDF), Stuart Butler and Marcela Cabello explore the ways in which housing can affect the lives and success of individuals, and how the effect varies for different segments of the population. But, the authors find that in many instances there are a number of policy and other issues obstructing the capacity of housing to serve this vital purpose........................Read More