Overview
Housing is a social determinant of health; it is a key condition “in the places where people live, learn, work, and play” that affects their health and quality of life. Therefore, housing and health are co-extensive—they influence one another. People’s experiences with medical conditions may contribute to their homelessness, and homelessness may exacerbate existing chronic health conditions while creating new health problems.
Local and community-based resources can play a significant role in addressing the impact of homelessness and housing instability. Communities that want to reduce homelessness and promote housing stability may adopt three specific measures that have proven effective: a centralized community response, access to immediate housing and support services, and housing voucher programs. This fact sheet covers these measures.
