5 Ways Affordable Housing Can Improve Lives
Written By AD&V®
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | AD&V® is dedicated to advanced and energy-efficient sustainable architecture & interior design that enhances people’s experience of the world and improves their lives.
PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ARE MORE LIKELY TO SUCCEED SOCIALLY, ACADEMICALLY, AND PROFESSIONALLY.
Affordable housing is a national problem aggravated by the fact that on average the least affordable cities also happen to be the wealthiest ones. Without decent and available affordable housing, people can be locked out of job opportunities and even quality of life.
Providing affordable housing encourages better health, adequate jobs, financial stability, security, and population diversity. The effects of affordable housing on residents are profound and capable of transforming communities, especially when the projects are designed with an urban plan.
Here’s how affordable housing has the power to improve people’s lives:
1. CAN ENHANCE HEALTH & WELLNESS
Lack of affordable housing and homelessness can cause or worsen physical and mental illness, expose people to health hazards such as unsanitary conditions, infectious diseases, toxins, allergens, and present additional obstacles to treating chronic medical conditions.
Studies show that quality affordable housing has multiple positive effects on people's health and well-being. Reducing health risks associated with poor-quality housing by freeing up financial resources for healthcare and nutritious food, providing residential stability, relieving stress, improving mental health, decreasing exposure to infectious diseases, fostering greater self-esteem and increasing a sense of security.
The United Nations estimates that around 10 million people worldwide die yearly from substandard housing conditions. That’s why access to safe and resilient affordable housing is so important.
2. CAN IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION
The stability that affordable housing provides also helps people improve their family’s quality of education by allowing children to stay in the same school and not fall behind due to moving in hopes of finding an affordable place to live.
Some community centers in affordable housing developments offer workshops on technology, communications, business, arts, and sciences. These resources are invaluable to those with limited resources and opportunities. Having these educational opportunities in close proximity increases residents’ access to quality education.
3. CAN CREATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Well-planned affordable housing is developed in areas where residents have transportation options available, enabling them to search for and find jobs in areas accessible to them. This provides job security, improves their financial status, and eliminates the need for cars.
Additionally, affordable housing developments generate employment for the community. They stimulate the local economy by creating short-term and long-term jobs, attracting employers and employees, boosting consumer spending, generating tax revenue for state and local governments, and lowering the risk of evictions and foreclosures.
4. CAN STRENGTHEN PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Affordable housing developments that are designed to be walkable complexes, promote interaction among residents and strengthen community ties. The community centers in affordable housing developments also provide a space to encourage community involvement and bring people together. Overall, affordable housing uplifts residents and enables social connections.
5. CAN HELP PEOPLE THRIVE & SUCCEED
When housing is affordable, people can spend more energy and resources on healthcare, nutrition, education, transportation, and other essential products and services. An affordable housing development that incorporates such elements improves residents' circumstances and empowers them with the tools they need to help themselves succeed in their endeavors and become productive members of society.
For these reasons, developers, designers, housing organizations, and community advocates must work together to create vibrant communities in affordable housing developments. We need to provide affordable housing options that address people’s needs and allow them to thrive and succeed.
FURTHER READING: 5 WAYS TO DESIGN SUCCESSFUL MULTIFAMILY HOUSING