At Habitat for Humanity, we understand
why home matters.

Access to affordable homeownership is a pathway to self-reliance and flourishing and its impact goes far beyond individual households. It shapes the well-being of our entire community. From fostering better health outcomes to boosting educational opportunities, empowering wealth creation, prompting deeper community engagement, and even mitigating environmental footprints, the significance of affordable homeownership cannot be overstated.

To showcase the impact that Habitat for Humanity and our dedicated supporters make, we are publishing a series of evidence briefs and short videos produced by Habitat International about:

  • the importance of homeownership
  • current barriers to homeownership
  • Habitat’s role in building a world where everyone has a decent place to live

We are proud that we bring the dream of homeownership within reach for families in Central Virginia. With your support through volunteering, donating, and advocacy we will continue to build a community where more of our neighbors have the opportunity to thrive in a safe, affordable home of their own.

Why Home Matters

Explore the pages below to learn more about Why Home Matters. Each section includes a short video with some highlights as well as a link to a more comprehensive article with insights, data, and references. We hope this content helps inspire you to partner with us in building a better world!

Overview: What are the benefits of homeownership?

Improving affordable homeownership leads to outcomes that extend beyond the house.

These include greater economic stability, access to quality education, increased civic and social engagement, better health, and a reduced environmental footprint. This evidence brief provides an overview of how families can prosper with greater access to decent, affordable housing. Click the link below to read the full article for an overview of these benefits.

Benefits of Homeownership

 

 

Who has access to homeownership?

Homeownership transforms lives.

It creates long-lasting and life-changing impact on families and communities, from providing a source of wealth and asset-building to influencing health and educational outcomes and contributing to positive community development. The first step in bringing homeownership to more families, however, is to understand who currently has access to homeownership and what factors play a role. Click the link below to read the full article about who has access to homeownership.

Access to Homeownership

How does housing impact health?

A stable, healthy environment means improved health outcomes.

  • Providing access to stable and affordable housing improves health and reduces health care costs. Among households with low incomes, moving into more affordable and stable housing was associated with 18% fewer emergency department visits and 20% more primary care visits, which combined equate to a 12%, or approximately $580, decrease in Medicaid health care expenditures from the previous year. 
  • Removing physical hazards and improving the safety of homes leads to better health for children and the elderly. Removing asthma triggers, such as pests and mold, from homes, coupled with community case management, resulted in decreased health care use and improved quality of life for children. Repairs and modifications to homes, coupled with home visits by a health care provider, resulted in a 30% improvement in the ability of older adults with low incomes to perform daily activities. 
  • Living in homes in low-poverty neighborhoods or neighborhoods with access to healthy foods can improve physical health and healthy eating. 

Health Impact

How does housing impact educational opportunities?

There is a pathway between owning a decent, affordable and stable home and experiencing positive educational outcomes.

  • Stable home environments raise young children’s math and reading test scores, and affordable homeownership is a conduit for greater residential stability.
     
  • Removing hazards and providing homes that eliminate overcrowding leads to better physical and mental health, development and higher educational achievement for children.
     
  • Studies have demonstrated that families whose housing costs are subsidized and can choose which neighborhood to live in have children who attend schools with higher attendance rates, graduation rates, and reading and math proficiency rates, along with lower dropout and violence rates.

Educational Outcomes