Safe Affordable Housing Health Welfare Nyc Policy Analysis

What: Poor housing – with specific focus on residential crowding.

Why: Poor housing (specifically residential crowding) has been associated with negative health outcomes

It would be prudent to note that various studies conducted in the past indicate that poor housing conditions are linked to negative health outcomes. In a study seeking to assess the nature of the relationship between health and housing, Ige, Pilkington, Orme, Williams, Prestwood, Black, Carmichael, and Scally (2019) point out that wellbeing (both mental and physical) of persons and indoor environment are closely related. This is an assertion further advanced by the World Health Organization (2020) which indicates that there is “a direct association between crowding and adverse health outcomes, such as infectious disease and mental health problems.” As Braveman, Dekker, Eger, Sadegh-Nobari, and Pollack (2011) indicate, some of the illnesses that have been linked to overcrowding in residential houses are inclusive of respiratory infections and tuberculosis. The authors also indicate that the said crowding triggers psychological distress among those who dwell in such overcrowded spaces.

Semple (2016) observes that the housing situation for some residents of New York could be described as dire. This is more so the case when it comes to overcrowding. According to the author, available data indicates that “about 9 percent of all households — or nearly 280,000 units — in New York City have more than one person per room.” Indeed, as the author further indicates, in some instances, the situation gets so bad to the extent that some units have people sleeping in the kitchen. If nothing is done to address this particular problem, it will likely get worse.

From the onset, it would be prudent to note that as Thomson, Thomas, Sellstrom, and Petticrew (2009) indicate, “public investment to improve housing conditions can be justified on grounds of social justice... in addition, the well-established associations between poor housing and poor health also suggest that housing improvement may be justified on health grounds alone” (683). To a large extent, residential house crowding is often a direct consequence of lack of affordable housing. All three level of government have a role to play in this regard.

To begin with, the federal government could be deemed the principal funder. This is more so the case given that it avails to those who intend to build affordable houses a wide range of financial resources. The said resources are inclusive of, but they are not limited to; indirect and direct subsidies, and federal tax policy (Bull and Gross, 2018). A good example of the latter happens to be the interest deduction (home mortgage). It should also be noted that the federal government also seeks to help with the housing needs of localities and states by utilizing various funding avenues such as the Community Development Block Grant.

On the other hand, state governments are also key players in as far as affordable housing is concerned. On this front, they could deploy tools and approaches such as the mortgage revenue bond programs to make it easier for those who would want to own a home. They could also decide to match their share of Community Development Block Grant with state funds. It should also be noted that as Bull and Gross (2018) indicate, states could also allocate Low Income Housing Tax Credits.

Local governments are also key stakeholders on various fronts. According to Bull and Gross (2018) they are shapers of housing policy at the community level. This is particularly the case given that they are responsible for the not only the implementation of regulations relating to zoning, but also the issuance of building permits. Also, they have the power to donate certain kinds of property for the building of affordable homes. Examples of properties that they could donate are inclusive of tax foreclosure properties and land that is publicly-owned.

In addition to the mechanisms that have been put in place to ensure affordable housing for residents of New York, I would propose a raft of other measures that could be embraced at the state and local government levels.