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Housing is mentioned nearly 50 times in the 2022 Governor’s Health Equity Council report.
The council, run by Chair Gina Green-Harris and Vice Chair Michelle Robinson, is tasked with identifying strategies to improve health disparities in the state.
Council members affirmed that housing is an essential social determinant of health and called for increased support for homeownership programs, encouraged the creation of more community land trusts, and added housing benefits to Medicaid. We have proposed several housing strategies.
Related:Milwaukee’s Housing First program shows how keeping people out of homelessness can improve health and reduce costs
A body of research over the years, including reports from the Urban Institute and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, shows a strong correlation between safer housing and better, more racially equitable health. .
Programs such as Milwaukee County’s Housing First have also shown how formerly homeless Milwaukee residents improved their health after being placed in safe housing environments.
Given rising rents, the council argues that investing more money in homeownership programs will lead to more equitable health outcomes. Homeowners typically have more financial security and more control over their environment, as opposed to renters who have to.
Poor health conditions that exacerbate asthma and other respiratory diseases are far more likely to be found in rental properties, according to research from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University.
more:“Who wants a moldy hot shower?” Substandard housing encourages asthma “triggers” and seeking help can be a nightmare.
However, the report noted a 46.2% difference in home ownership rates between black (26%) and white (72.2%) residents across the state, suggesting that racial disparities in homeownership are linked to disparities in health status. I pointed out how it matches with .
The council estimates that the homeownership gap is likely to persist until at least 2040, with the continuing impact of segregation, redlining, mortgage denials, and other forms of racism in housing. are mentioned.
The report cited Greendale residents who noted that even homeowners were barely living and had little money left for medical and other needs.
“People don’t have money to repair their homes,” said a resident. ”
As such, the council recommends increasing state funding for organizations engaged in the following types of work:
- affordable housing development
- Home renovation and sale to qualified buyers
- Pre- and post-purchase educational services
- Down payment and contract closing fee support
- Residential and Non-Profit Commercial Renovations
- Counseling for Homeowners
Community land trusts are typically owned by community organizations and/or nonprofits that purchase homes, own them permanently, and lease them to future homeowners and/or renters.
Related:Milwaukee Land Trust takes steps to improve homeownership for people of color
According to the council, this type of arrangement keeps homes affordable through a “ground lease” with parameters for property resale and income eligibility. When a family sells a highly valued home, the trust retains a portion of the profits to offset lower housing costs.
More affordable housing allows residents to spend more money on prescriptions and seek prompt medical care, while also allowing people with chronic conditions to avoid worsening their condition.
The council recommended committing approximately $32 million toward the development of community land trusts throughout Wisconsin. Funding comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Investment Partnership Program, which allocated his $318 million to the state.
The Wisconsin Department of Health last year received federal approval to provide housing benefits for low-income pregnant women and families with children under the age of 18.
more:What if a doctor could write a prescription for proper housing? Above all, it could improve a person’s overall health.
Following that, Wisconsin launched an initiative to use some of the children’s health insurance program funds to reimburse programs designed to reduce housing anxiety, such as housing counseling, housing transition services, and relocation assistance. The initiative can also be used to reimburse homeless assistance providers.
According to the Wisconsin Medical Journal, homelessness is linked to premature birth and increased infant mortality.
The council advised Medicaid to prioritize women within the first year of giving birth, not just pregnant women.
Talis Shelbourne is a research solutions reporter covering affordable housing, the environment and equity issues. Any tips? You can contact Thalys at (414) 403-6651 or tshelbourn@jrn.com. Follow her on her Twitter. @talisseer Message her at @talisseer on Facebook.
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