The conditions of our neighborhoods and quality of our homes play a critical role in shaping our health.
This collection features initiatives supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and resources for communities working to ensure access to safe, affordable housing for all.
The research is clear: families that face unstable housing, forced moves, homelessness, or home-based toxins such as lead or mold are more likely to experience poor mental or physical health.
Our homes determine where we go to school, how long it takes to get to work, and how much money we have left over to pay for other essentials. When our homes are near high-performing schools and good jobs, it’s easier to get a quality education and earn a livable wage. When we live near stores where nutritious food is available and affordable, eating healthy is easier. There’s a ripple effect—when anyone, in any community, lacks access to these things, the entire community isn’t as strong as it could be.
Policies, programs, and systems changes that respond to the specific needs of each community are essential to promoting inclusive and connected neighborhoods, reducing displacement, and enabling opportunity for better health for everyone.
