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Positive Effects of Affordable Housing on Children

A new study released by Enterprise Community Partners and the Center for Housing Policy in August 2007, reports that decent and affordable housing has large effects on health and education.

Children that live in…

…housing built before 1960 – approximately 14 million children under age 6 – are more likely to suffer from increased lead exposure and lead poisoning since older rental housing contains the highest levels of lead-based paint hazards.

…good housing conditions – in particular, housing free from pesticides, mold and cockroach infestation – are less likely to develop asthma and, as a result, to miss school.

…stable housing where they move less frequently are more likely to do better on reading and math tests and less likely to drop out of school than children who move regularly.

Children in families that receive housing assistance…

…are approximately 50 percent less likely to suffer from iron deficiencies than children in low-income families that do not receive housing aid.

…in the form of housing vouchers live in better neighborhoods and are less likely to move frequently, experience crowding and to miss school compared to children in families that do not receive vouchers.

Children of homeowners…

…scored up to 9 percent higher on math and up to 7 percent higher on reading tests than their peers in families that rented their homes.

…and their families achieve better physical and mental health outcomes compared to renters, including fewer long-term illnesses, as well as lower blood pressure and depression levels.

Enterprise is a leading provider of the development capital and expertise it takes to create decent, affordable homes and rebuild communities. For 25 years, Enterprise has pioneered neighborhood solutions through public-private partnerships with financial institutions, governments, community organizations and others that share our vision. Enterprise has raised and invested $7 billion in equity, grants and loans and is currently investing in communities at a rate of $1 billion a year. Visit www.enterprisecommunity.org or www.enterprisecommunity.com to learn more about Enterprise’s efforts to build communities and opportunity, and to meet some of the half a million people we have helped.

The Center for Housing Policy is the research affiliate of the National Housing Conference (NHC), the nation’s premier public policy and housing advocacy organization. The Center works to broaden understanding of the housing challenges facing American households and to examine the impact of policies and programs developed to address these needs. Combining research and practical, real-world expertise, the Center helps to develop effective policy solutions at the national, state and local levels that increase the availability of affordable homes. For more information, please go to www.nhc.org.

 

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