The Role of Housing in Promoting Health and Well-Being
As a nonprofit dedicated to providing mixed-income housing solutions, we understand that stable, affordable housing is not just about having a roof over your head. It's about creating the foundation for good health, well-being, and the opportunity to thrive. For too long, housing and health have been treated as separate issues, but research (and our vast experience over 40 years) increasingly shows that they are deeply interconnected.
At the heart of our mission is the belief that everyone deserves not just a place to live, but a place where they can flourish.
Read more about our Resident Wellness Study here.
The Link Between Housing and Health
When people have stable, affordable housing, they experience significantly better physical and mental health outcomes. Studies consistently demonstrate the powerful role that housing plays in health. Housing is one of the key social determinants of health—the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, and work. For individuals living in secure, well-maintained homes, the benefits are clear:
Reduced Hospital Visits + Increased Access to Health Care: Stable housing is linked to fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Without the stress of eviction or instability, individuals are better able to access regular health care, follow up with treatments, and manage chronic conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or asthma.
Housing stability also makes it easier for individuals and families to access necessary health services, like going to regular dental and medical check-ups, following up with health care professionals, and staying on track with medications.
Better Mental Health: Housing insecurity is a major contributor to mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, addiction, and substance abuse. When people are secure in their living situation, they experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and the emotional strain that often accompanies housing instability. Stable housing provides a sense of safety and belonging, which is essential for mental well-being.
Improved Child Development: Children in stable housing environments perform better academically and have fewer behavioral issues. Secure housing allows for a more stable environment for learning and socialization, which contributes to better cognitive and emotional development.
How NHA’s Model Makes a Difference
At Norfolk Housing Association, we believe that providing mixed-income housing is a powerful way to break the cycle of poverty and poor health. Our social enterprise model combines appropriate, safe, and dignified housing with community-building and wellness supports to maximize health and well-being. Here’s how:
Diverse Housing Options: From affordable housing units to market-rate properties, we promote mixed-income communities where individuals and families can thrive regardless of their economic background. This diversity creates an environment where everyone, from low-income families to working professionals, students and seniors, can live in dignity and security.
Wellness Supports: Beyond just providing housing, we now proudly have staff who can connect our residents with the supports they need to improve their health and quality of life. Beyond the obvious, like access to mental health counseling, food security, or financial literacy, we also utilise our understanding of the diversity of wellness needs to encourage residents into varied activities, improved relationships, and healthy communication and conflict resolution. By addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of residents, we help ensure that housing stability translates into better health outcomes.
Beautiful, livable, and dignified spaces: As part of our commitment to promoting well-being, we prioritize sustainable, environmentally-conscious building practices. From creating shared spaces (indoor and outdoor), to beautifying those spaces, we create environments that support both physical and mental health. Our actions reflect our belief that the quality of the space where you live can have a profound impact on your overall well-being.
The Power of Stable Housing in Creating Healthier Futures
Stable housing not only provides people with a sense of security and belonging, but it also helps reduce healthcare costs, improve educational outcomes, and create economic opportunities. By integrating a focus of resident wellbeing into our housing model, NHA works alongside residents who are committed to their long-term health and happiness to improve their outcomes and remain housed.
Ultimately, our vision is to create communities where people are not just surviving but thriving. And we know that the key to that is housing that is affordable, stable, and supportive. We remain committed to advocating for policies and solutions that ensure every individual has access to the kind of housing that fosters well-being—not just a place to live, but a place to grow, heal, and thrive.
At NHA, we know that health begins at home. If you believe in the power of housing to improve lives, we encourage you to get vocal with friends, family, and politicians about your support for policies and practices that honour the dignity – and the need – in all of us.