Housing stability

Housing stability is a term that encompasses the many factors that result in a person or family not having access to consistent, safe, and affordable housing. The concept addresses more than homelessness. It also includes situations such as sub-par housing, overcrowded living conditions, and forced moves or evictions. It is important because homeownership is a key aspect of long-term financial security.

The terms “housing stability” and “housing instability” are often used interchangeably to refer to the same problem. Factors such as finances, education, physical and mental health, employability, legal status and history, and substance abuse all contribute to whether a family or an individual will have access to consistent, safe, and affordable housing. Conversely, being homeless or in a poor housing situation can negatively affect a person’s finances, health, and educational opportunities, any of which can lead to problems with employment, the legal system, and substance abuse.

Background

Organizations, agencies, and experts associated with housing issues use different parameters to define housing stability. However, several factors that are considered important are included in most definitions of housing stability for an individual, a family, or a socioeconomic group. They include:

• The type and quality of housing available
• Previous type of housing
• How long an individual has been in his or her current housing situation
• Financial status, especially the percentage of income spent for housing
• Employment status
• Educational status
• Legal status, including prior interaction with the legal system and immigration status
• Substance use/abuse
• Prior forced moves, or evictions, especially those involving court action

Housing stability problems incorporate those of the homeless but are not limited to those without a dwelling. They also include people living in substandard housing, such as structures without adequate utilities or where mold, insects, and vermin are a problem. Most experts also consider people to be in unstable housing situations if they spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing and are at serious risk of losing housing stability if housing costs take up more than 50 percent of available income.

Situations that force people to share housing, where two or more families live in quarters intended for one, are also considered instances of housing instability. Instances of people living temporarily with a succession of family and friends, a practice commonly referred to as “couch surfing,” likewise fit this definition. Experts consider these to be examples of overcrowding.

Causes

The many factors associated with housing stability are complex, which makes the issue difficult to define. Furthermore, multiple causes contribute to housing stability, making the problem challenging to resolve. The costs associated with housing are often the single largest problem. Homeownership generally requires a large down payment, a good credit history, and proof of a stable income. Renting also requires a large up-front payment in the form of a security deposit and advance rent payments, in addition to the same financial credentials and proof of income applied to home purchases.

People who do not have these are often forced into less desirable living conditions, such as substandard housing in more dangerous neighborhoods. They may resort to living in overcrowded situations or become homeless. Even individuals who initially meet the requirements to buy or rent a home can lose housing stability due to job losses, increased expenses for medical bills, or other causes. Renters can lose their homes due to the same financial setbacks or because of a change in landlords that leads to a significant rent increase. Renters can also be evicted because the new owner has new plans for the property.

While financial circumstances are a main factor in housing stability, several situations indirectly impact a family or an individual’s finances and housing stability. Some people are affected by economic conditions that are largely beyond their control, such as inflation, or the general increase in goods and services along with a lowering of the value of money. Corporate layoffs and other similar events, which are often tied to the overall economy of a country or region, also play a role in financial struggles that lead to housing stability issues.

Other times, the financial situation of the individual or family affects housing stability. The financial changes brought by divorce can be a factor. Single-parent households generally have lower earning potential than two-parent families, increasing the likelihood of housing instability. People with higher levels of education generally have more employment opportunities, leading to greater housing stability, while those with less education are often more limited in employment options. This can make it more likely that housing stability will be an issue.

Experts say that people dealing with mental or physical health conditions and substance abuse problems are also more likely to struggle with maintaining steady employment, leading to problems with housing stability. Those who have been incarcerated or deal with challenges related to their immigration status are also more likely to face housing stability obstacles. According to experts, Black and Latino households are more likely to face individual or family financial challenges that limit their access to steady, consistent, and safe homes.

Consequences

Several consequences of housing stability go far beyond the most obvious result of homelessness. The same financial conditions that can lead to unstable housing situations are also made worse when people do not have a steady, secure home to return to after work each day. Housing instability makes it difficult to build a consistent employment history, which can affect both present and future employment. It can make it challenging to get an education, which also increases the likelihood of future housing instability. This is especially true for children in elementary and secondary schools because frequent moves and unsettled living conditions cause interruptions to education and disrupt the emotional growth that takes place with school peers.

Experts also say that housing stability is an important factor in people’s health. Health can be impacted when people must spend a disproportionate amount of their income for housing. In some cases, people are forced to cut back on food purchases necessary to good health to afford housing. They may go without health insurance and/or not have the means to pay for doctor visits, medications, or reliable transportation to appointments. An unstable home condition can also mean that they do not have the means to safely store or refrigerate medications. In addition, people who find themselves in substandard housing often deal with a lack of water, sanitation, and heat or cope with vermin and mold, all of which negatively impact health. People with chronic health conditions and pregnant women are more adversely affected than others by inadequate, consistent housing, according to experts.

The problems associated with housing stability can become generational because children who grow up without a consistent, safe place to call home are more likely to be affected by the issues that cause future housing instability. Experts believe that the problem can be reversed, as studies have shown that children who move out of low-income, substandard, and inconsistent housing situations before their teen years are more likely to have housing stability in the future. They are more likely to reach a higher level of education and better employment, have better health, and live in better neighborhoods in adulthood. They are also less likely to be single parents, which is a factor that can lead to being able to afford suitable housing. The financial and emotional stresses associated with financial and housing struggles trigger some individuals to abuse drugs and alcohol, which also impacts their ability to maintain housing stability.

Potential Solutions

Because housing stability is impacted by many factors, solutions vary. A common solution is to provide money to subsidize housing for people with low incomes or conditions that impact their ability to improve their income, such as mental and physical health problems, disabilities, or age. However, even though government agencies provide billions in funding for subsidized housing, it is not enough money to meet the needs of everyone facing housing instability. Some studies have indicated that despite large amounts of government funding, only about 25 percent of those who could benefit from subsidized housing are able to receive it. To address this issue, some policy experts have proposed that the government build and manage more affordable housing; however, government construction of affordable housing often faces a number of obstacles, including funding and opposition from local communities.

As a result, government agencies and community groups focused on housing problems turn to other ways to reduce housing insecurity. Some groups attack the problem by increasing educational opportunities and providing consistent health care for those already affected. Other approaches include passing laws to prevent landlords from renting substandard housing and minimizing evictions that will cause housing instability. Rent control is also mandated in some communities as a way to prevent landlords from raising rent to a degree that makes it unaffordable.

Programs directed toward groups with special issues related to housing, such as the formerly incarcerated and veterans, are also implemented to improve housing stability. In addition, groups such as Habitat for Humanity attempt to increase the number of habitable homes and provide a pathway to homeownership for those with more limited financial means.

Bibliography

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