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Sacramento for All: Housing Education Resource Center

7. Benefits of Affordable Housing

Sacramento for All: Housing Education Resource Center

7. Benefits of Affordable Housing

Affordable housing plays a pivotal role in fostering thriving communities, particularly in Sacramento where half of all renters are cost-burdened and at-risk of displacement (Housing Element). From economic stability to improved health outcomes, the availability of affordable housing plays a crucial role in enhancing the well-being of individuals and families across diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

REDUCED HOMELESSNESS – Affordable housing programs help reduce homelessness. In a study conducted by UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, they found that individuals’ inability to afford housing was both the underlying cause of homelessness and the primary barrier to their returning to housing. (1)
ECONOMIC STABILITY – Affordable housing stabilizes families and communities, reducing turnover rates and fostering neighborhood continuity. According to a study published in the Journal of Planning Literature, individuals who are forced to move from their homes have a 1 in 3 chance of losing lose their jobs. (2)
HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES – Access to affordable housing correlates with improved health outcomes. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that inadequate housing is linked to increased rates of chronic illnesses such as asthma and diabetes. (3)
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES – Children in stable housing environments perform better in school. Research from the National Center for Children in Poverty indicates that housing stability leads to higher attendance rates and academic achievement. (4)
ECONOMIC GROWTH – Affordable housing initiatives stimulate economic growth. A report by the California State Auditor, states that affordable housing development increases spending and employment in the surrounding economy and provides an important source of revenue to local jurisdictions. (5)
CRIME REDUCTION – Affordable housing can contribute to safer communities. A study published in the Journal of Urban Economics found that increasing affordable housing stock leads to a decrease in crime rates. (6)
SOCIAL EQUITY – Affordable housing promotes social equity by providing more housing choice and opportunities for low-income individuals and families to live in safe, decent housing. According to a report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, without affordable housing, millions of households are forced to spend more than half of their income on rent, leaving little for other necessities. (7)

References

Kushel, M., Moore, T., et al. (2023). Toward a New Understanding: The California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness . UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative.
Carnemolla, P., & Skinner, V. (2021). Outcomes Associated with Providing Secure, Stable, and Permanent Housing for People Who Have Been Homeless: An International Scoping Review. Journal of Planning Literature, 36(4), 508-525.
Krieger, J., & Higgins, D. (2002). Housing and Health: Time Again for Public Health Action. American Journal of Public Health, 92, 758-768.
Aratani, Y. (2009). Homeless Children and Youth. National Center for Children in Poverty.
California State Auditor. (2020). California’s Housing Agencies: Report 2020-108.
Freedman, M., & Owens, E. (2011). Low-income Housing Development and Crime. Journal of Urban Economics, Volume 70, Issues 2–3, 2011, Pages 115-131.
Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. (2024). America’s Rental Housing 2024.

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