Inadequate housing: a health crisis for the children of the poor
Article Abstract:
The inadequacy of affordable housing presents a significant health risk to poor children. The 1993 American Housing Survey found that over 1.2 million households across the country lived in houses with moderate to severe physical damages, and that more than half a million renter families lived in overcrowded conditions. Children living in such housing conditions are more vulnerable to health problems and injuries. They are more likely to suffer asthma attacks due to exposure to such irritants as cockroaches, dust mites, molds and rats, to contract infections, and to suffer lead poisoning. They are also more likely to be trapped in dangerous neighborhoods or living arrangements and, consequently, be exposed to violence. Public housing professionals should therefore consider housing as a health issue and should be particularly concerned about the health of poor children.
Publication Name: Journal of Housing and Community Development
Subject: Sociology and social work
ISSN: 0272-7374
Year: 1998
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The state of the nation's low-income housing
Article Abstract:
Low-income housing has not successfully addressed the needs of its target recipients. Those belonging to extremely and very low-income households are either spending more than half of their incomes on housing or staying in insufficient units. Most of these households are elderlies, single-parent families and minorities. Unfortunately, the prospect for meeting the demands of these people for low-income housing looks bleak. Recent welfare reforms threaten the public assistance programs that these groups receive. Moreover, policymakers are not willing to offer rental assistance to low-income people because doing so is a very expensive undertaking. The gap between the demand for and supply of housing that extremely low-income earners can afford is forecasted to widen further.
Publication Name: Journal of Housing and Community Development
Subject: Sociology and social work
ISSN: 0272-7374
Year: 1998
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