Housing
Housing is a foundational social determinant of health. Redlining, segregation, and gentrification are major ways that health disparities have emerged and are sustained in the U.S. over time. Research has shown that those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity face substantially higher risk of physical and mental illness and have consistently higher health care expenditures due to higher rates of chronic disease and emergency treatment usage. TRCC highlights policies and housing interventions that improve housing stability and health outcomes while decreasing healthcare costs and advancing health equity.
Resources and Information
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American Public Health Association (APHA) report: “Creating The Healthiest Nation: Health and Housing Equity”
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APHA and Kaiser Permanente report: “Housing Affordability and Quality: A Driver of Community Health”
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Urban Institute article: “The Connection between Housing, Health, and Racial Equity”
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Green and Healthy Homes Initiative report: “Achieving Health and Social Equity Through Housing”
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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health article: “Investing in Public Health Infrastructure to Address the Complexities of Homelessness”
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Medical Care Journal article: “Does Housing Improve Health Care Utilization and Costs? A Longitudinal Analysis of Health Administrative Data Linked to a Cohort of Individuals With a History of Homelessness”
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AMA Journal of Ethics article: “How Medicaid and States Could Better Meet Health Needs of Persons Experiencing Homelessness”
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The Lancet journal article: “Adverse childhood experiences and related outcomes among adults experiencing homelessness: a systematic review and meta-analysis”
Keeping Renters Safe Act of 2021
H.R. 5307 - Representative Cori Bush (D-MO)
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Introduced on 9/21/21
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56 Co-Sponsors as of 11/17/22
S. 2776 - Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
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Introduced on 9/21/21
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5 Co-Sponsors as of 11/17/22
Description
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Grant permanent authority to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement a residential eviction moratorium in the event of a public health crisis
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Direct HHS to implement an automatic national residential eviction moratorium in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that is automatic, applies to all residential eviction filings, hearings, judgments, and execution of judgments. The moratorium would remain in effect for at least 60 days following the conclusion of a public health emergency
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Allow for appropriate moratorium exceptions necessary to protect the health and safety of others.
Status
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The bills are still under consideration by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Additional Information
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Rep. Bush’s office: One-Pager
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Rep. Bush's office press release: “Cori Bush, Elizabeth Warren Introduce the Keeping Renters Safe Act of 2021"
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Essence Magazine article: “Congresswoman Cori Bush Introduces "Keeping Renters Safe Act of 2021"
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National Low Income Housing Coalition memo: "Representative Cori Bush and Senators Warren, Markey, and Padilla Introduce “Keeping Renters Safe Act of 2021”
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Forbes article: “Eviction Moratorium May Get Extended If New Legislation Passes In Congress”
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Democracy Now article: “Our Health or Our Homes”: Tenants Facing Eviction Help Introduce New “Keeping Renters Safe Act”
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NPR interview: “Congresswoman Bush On Her Efforts To Reinstate A Ban On Evictions During The Pandemic”
Contact
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For further information about this issue or other legislation in the ELM, please contact Tom Dorney at tdorney@rootcausecoalition.org or Hannah Miller at hmiller@rootcausecoalition.org