Substandard housing bad for a child’s health
A child’s well-being does not depend solely on genetics or interactions with his or her parents, but also on the physical environment he or she experiences on a daily basis.
A home is where a child eats, sleeps, plays and learns. What could be more central to a child’s well-being than that?
At United Housing, our mission is to make that well-being possible for the underserved who may not realize homeownership is within reach.
We strive to provide quality, affordable housing opportunities through benefits like homebuyer education courses, financial guidance, mortgage lending, and home building and renovation.
The work of organizations like ours is more important than ever, with Memphis having more substandard rental units than owner-occupied homes, according to American Housing Survey. Susan Steppe, director of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital’s CHAMP program.
CHAMP serves children with highrisk asthma. Steppe says that the majority of CHAMP families live in substandard rental units.
It’s crucial that we let those living in renter-occupied dwellings know that homeownership may not be easy, but it is possible and that there are organizations out there to help them make it happen through financial education and credit counseling.
Homeowners are economically invested in the property they inhabit, so they are more likely to maintain their living space at a higher level.
As a result, children experience cleaner, higher-quality homes. Youth growing up in houses of poor quality are more likely to be exposed to harmful conditions and overcrowding, both of which can result in negative health effects.
Realtor University’s report highlights a significant correlation between poor housing and health problems, especially respiratory conditions such as asthma and exposure to toxic substances like mold, which can cause a variety of respiratory issues.
Substandard housing is also often poorly weatherized, and energy burdens in Memphis are among the highest in the country according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.
MLGW’s Save the Pennies program is a great way to help seniors and individuals with disabilities weatherize their homes. If this were to include households with children with asthma, it could go a long way to helping struggling families.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention includes home improvement loans and grants as one of its community-wide, high-impact approaches to improve the lives of citizens through great health effects, positive results within five years and cost savings.
United Housing’s Home Improvement Loan program includes up to $15,000 loans at a low interest rate of 1.5 percent. This product will help homeowners repair leaky roofs that cause mold and other asthma triggers.
Homeownership can have a psychological impact, too. Owning a home can serve as a solution to many of the parent’s stressors.
Homeowners are known to experience higher levels of life satisfaction, self-esteem and perceived control over life. The positivity that stems from these areas is contagious and can create a more stable environment for all.
Amy Schaftlein is executive director of United Housing.