A stable place to call home is essential to protecting your family and your community from coronavirus. As the message to stay home and save lives spreads across the country and our community, it's important to acknowledge that you can’t shelter in place, self-quarantine or regularly wash your hands if you don’t have a home or are living somewhere with critical health and safety issues.
Habitat for Humanity has long acknowledged the importance that a safe, decent home has on a family's health. There is a strong positive relationship between living in poor housing and a range of health problems, including respiratory conditions such as asthma, exposure to toxic substances, injuries and mental health. A September 2016 study by Virginia Commonwealth University, Mapping Life Expectancy found that:
Now the role that housing and having access to a safe place to call home has on our health is at the forefront of our lives. Ensuring everyone remains stably housed during these uncertain times, and into the future is critical to ensuring the health and wellbeing of our entire community.
