Housing for care, connection, and health equity

Abstract

Researchers and policymakers have used a four-pillar framework— condition, consistency, context, and cost—to describe the characteristics of housing that are important for health equity. We propose adding a fifth pillar: care and connection. Housing for care and connection refers to the housing design, institutional policies, and housing programs that strengthen social connections, caregiving relationships, access to resources, and a sense of self in community. Attending to these needs in housing is especially important for people who are in transition in and out of homelessness, living in poverty, are very young or very old, or living with a disability or activity limitation.