User:Am0ria1/Housing in the United States

Substandard housing quality can have detrimental impacts on the physical and mental health of residents. In the United States, high-quality housing has become difficult to afford and access. Because of the inaccessibility, many individuals and families settle to build homes in spaces with poor living conditions. As of 2017, 8.3 million homes were considered homes with “worst case needs.” This number is describing the amount of rental households which are occupied by individuals with extremely low incomes, and living in severely inadequate conditions. Characteristics of inadequate housing include spaces with poor ventilation or leaks, peeling paint or cracked walls and ceilings, faulty smoke alarms, as well as having deficiencies in heating, electricity and plumbing.

Individuals and families living in spaces that exhibit these characteristics face a heightened risk of experiencing poor health. Residing in poorly ventilated homes can increase risks of respiratory illnesses. Additionally, poor ventilation can increase the likelihood residents will be exposed to mold, and other allergens, of which can have significant health impacts, increasing the risk of experiencing negative health effects. In addition to the physical health impacts experienced by residents in poorly maintained spaces, these individuals and families also suffer from stress and anxiety caused by their living conditions.

Evaluating the quality of housing, as well as recognizing its inadequacies,  is an essential aspect of ensuring the health and safety of people within their homes. Additionally, recognizing the correlation between poor housing quality and poor health helps to determine the location of investment initiatives by providing information on where funds are most needed.