Page 19 - THE GAP: The Affordable Housing Gap Analysis 2019
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THE GAP used in conjunction with HTF housing (U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, 2017).  e “Rent Relief Act” introduced by Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) and the “Housing, Opportunity, Mobility and Equity Act” introduced by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) proposed fully refundable renters’ tax credits for housing cost-burdened renters (NLIHC, 2018b).  ese proposals would help millions of extremely low-income renters a ord their homes. THE CASE FOR AFFORDABLE HOMES Investing in a ordable housing solutions, like the national HTF, the HCV program, public housing, and other deeply income-targeted programs, is inextricably linked to an array of positive outcomes beyond housing. Low- A SHORTAGE OF AFFORDABLE HOMES, 2019 and their caregivers (Sandel, et al., 2018). Previous studies by Children’s HealthWatch found that children who experienced pre-natal homelessness were 20% more likely to be hospitalized since birth. Children who experienced post-natal homelessness as an infant or toddler were 22% more likely to hospitalized since birth (Sandel et. al., 2016). Children’s HealthWatch estimates that the cost of hospitalizations attributable to homelessness among children younger than  ve is more than $230 million per year (Sandel et. al., 2016). A study in Oregon found that when people obtained subsidized a ordable housing, their primary care visits increased by 20%, emergency room visits decreased by 18%, and Medicaid expenditures decreased by 12% (Wright, Li, Vartanian, & Weller, M., 2016). A ordable homes can also help children climb the economic ladder as adults. Economist Raj Chetty and his team found that children of families who used housing vouchers to access a ordable homes in lower-poverty neighborhoods were more likely to attend college, less likely to become single parents, and likely to earn more as adults. Younger poor children who moved to lower- poverty neighborhoods with a housing choice voucher will earn an average of $302,000 more in lifetime earnings than their peers who didn’t (Chetty, Hendren, & Katz, 2015). A ordable homes are critical to the criminal justice system, as well. Individuals transitioning out of the criminal justice system face signi cant housing obstacles. Formerly incarcerated people are nearly ten times more likely to be homeless than the general public, partially due to the shortage of a ordable housing, discrimination, and large security deposit requirements (Couloute, 2018). A study in income children in a ordable homes perform better on cognitive development tests than those in una ordable homes, because their parents can spend more money on enrichment activities (Newman & Holupka, 2014, 2015). A ordable housing also prevents housing instability that disrupts learning and negatively impacts academic achievement (Brennan, Reed, Sturtevant, 2014; Herbers et al., 2012; Voight, Shinn, & Nation, 2012). A ordable housing options located in high-opportunity areas with low poverty and economically-diverse schools can raise the academic performance of low-income students and narrow the achievement gap between them and their more a uent peers (Schwartz, 2010). Decent, stable, and a ordable homes are a major social determinant of health. Families with children who are behind on paying their rent are at higher risk of fair or poor health for both the children Decent, stable, and affordable homes are a major social determinant of health. Families with children who are behind on paying their rent are at higher risk of fair or poor health for both the children and their caregivers NATIONAL LOW INCOME HOUSING COALITION 15 


































































































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