How Affordable Housing Benefits Children

Living without housing cost burden improves learning and physical development for children, ultimately increasing the potential for those who grow up in these environments.  
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The stability that housing affordability provides increases the prospects of children who live in that housing.  

• When there’s limited access to affordable housing, the available housing options for low-income families is typically lower in quality and can be unstable. This can influence emotional or behavioral problems in children (6) (10) and health issues (5) (6), which seriously jeopardize children’s academic performance, and contribute to long-lasting achievement gaps (5). 

• The absence of housing cost burden creates a more stable environment for children because when parents aren’t forced to spend most of their income on rent and essentials, they are better equipped to:  ​

• form long-term friendships and bonds with other kids (1),  
• participate in community and extracurricular activities (1),  
• develop vital social skills (1),  
• have more opportunities for economic mobility (9) (10), 
• and experience a better overall sense of well-being (10). ​​​

When parents’ finances aren’t burdened by housing costs, children live healthier lives, which creates better outcomes for adulthood.  

• Children who grow up in households with access to healthy and nutritious foods tend to have better outcomes as they grow up (11). 
• Children who are exposed to elements like lead-based paint can suffer from damage to the brain and nervous system, have delayed development, and experience issues with behavior and cognition (11). 
• Green improvements to affordable housing can improve the health of low-income families, especially for children at risk of chronic illnesses (5). ​​

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