The four pillars of housing influencing health equity
Cette ressource est également disponible en français.
Housing is a key determinant of health. Housing-related inequities are rooted in historical and current factors, including systemic poverty, exclusionary practices, racism, colonialism and displacement. People who are most susceptible to unsafe, unaffordable and inadequate housing are also more likely to experience other intersecting inequities, compounding the overall negative impact on their health and well-being.
Current policies and practices related to urban planning, gentrification and housing discrimination reinforce housing disparities. In addition, racial segregation in housing practices and a widening wealth gap that prevents equal opportunity for home ownership further exacerbate challenges in securing and maintaining housing that supports health.
Pillars of housing and health
This resource positions housing as a “platform for health equity” through a conceptual model that outlines how structural and social factors impact housing and, in turn, health outcomes. Racial and social inequality combined with exclusionary policies and practices result in limited available housing stock, unequal distribution of resources and limited financial ability for some groups. These conditions influence four main pillars through which housing then impacts health: affordability, conditions and quality, neighbourhood conditions, and residential stability. The effects of these pillars on health outcomes are shaped by differences in vulnerability, access to health-promoting resources and health behaviours. Health outcomes include negative impacts on chronic and infectious diseases, maternal and reproductive health, injury, mental health and overall wellness.
The blog post and webinar highlight practical areas for public health action. These include promoting healthy built environment practices, advocacy to address discriminatory housing practices, and a broader focus on housing as a lever to promote health equity.
Use this resource to
- Develop a plan for action on each of the four pillars of housing to impact health outcomes
- Identify community and intersectoral partners to co-develop collaborative approaches to address housing inequities
- Support advocacy across all levels and sectors to improve housing conditions, affordability and availability across Canada
Alignment with NCCDH work
The NCCDH has published a number of resources to support housing as a public health focus, including curated lists of resources to guide public health action in this area.
Housing as a focus for public health action on equity: A curated list
Public health action to address tuberculosis in homeless shelter settings: A curated list
NCCDH has an ongoing collaboration with RentSafe which resulted in resources that summarize housing as a public health issue in Canada and highlight participatory practice and direct engagement of people with grounded expertise to offer practical and tangible areas of action for public health at all levels.
Towards healthy homes for all: What the RentSafe findings mean for public health in Canada
Other relevant learnings come from COVID-19 efforts to support underhoused populations and those experiencing homelessness or precarious housing.
See more resources on housing as a determinant of health.
Reference
Swope, C., Hernández, D., & Yoon, L. (2023, March 30). The four pillars of housing influencing health equity. NCCEH Blog. https://ncceh.ca/resources/blog/four-pillars-housing-influencing-health-equity
Tags: Housing, Intersectoral action, Other National Collaborating Centre, Link, Website