Examining the impacts of housing insecurity on health in Hawaiʻi
A new three-part series of policy briefs outlines the connection between health and housing, the health challenges presented by houselessness, and policy solutions to the state’s affordable housing crisis.
HONOLULU, Hawaiʻi — An often overlooked but significant aspect of Hawaiʻi’s lack of affordable housing is its effect on health and the cost of care. Conditions associated with housing instability include obesity, chronic physical ailments, and debilitating anxiety and depression. Housing in poor repair can result in injuries and exposure to disease-bearing pests and pollutants.
The burden of this ill-health is surely felt most by the people who experience it, but the whole community is affected. In addition, the cost of care is largely paid for through taxpayer-supported Medicaid.
In a three-part series of short policy briefs, Good Health Depends on Decent Housing, the Hawai‘i Budget & Policy Center (HBPC) explores the connection between poor health and inadequate and insecure housing in Hawaiʻi.
“Decent, secure housing is the foundation for human wellbeing,” said Beth Giesting, Director of HBPC. “Hawaiʻi’s shortage of affordable housing creates many serious problems, among them poor health and a more expensive healthcare system. Our health and housing policy series shows why people who experience insecure housing and homelessness suffer poor health, at a great cost to themselves and the community. We also outline policy decisions and public investments Hawaiʻi needs to make to improve health and reduce future healthcare costs.”
The Health and Housing Connection (published today along with this release): Shows how chronic stress from insecure housing and living in a low-income neighborhood produces cumulative effects that result in mental and physical health problems. It also outlines health and socioeconomic disparities in Hawai‘i, and makes it clear that by under-investing in human needs—such as housing—we pay a large price for healthcare.
Health and Care for People Experiencing Homelessness (January 3, 2022): Reports on how helping people who are currently experiencing homelessness with housing and other needs is not only life-changing, but also saves money.
Building a Housing Market for Hawaiʻi’s Working Families (January 10, 2022): Highlights the disconnect between the state’s housing market and the needs of its residents, and outlines policy approaches and best practices that should guide housing development in Hawaiʻi for decades to come.
HBPC’s Health & Housing series is being released ahead of the January 12, 2022 Hawaiʻi State of Reform Health Policy Conference, which will include more than 60 speakers, including:
Beth Giesting, HBPC Director;
Francoise Culley-Trotman: CEO, AlohaCare; and
Ray Vara: CEO, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health.
AlohaCare and Hawaiʻi Pacific Health—both sponsors of the Health & Housing brief series—believe that good health depends on decent housing and are working every day on solutions for Hawaiʻi.
“AlohaCare is proud to support the work of the Hawaiʻi Budget & Policy Center,” said CEO Francoise Culley-Trotman. “Their research and findings are an important contribution to the complex issue of housing in Hawaiʻi, underscoring the human harm and economic cost of not acting with a sense of urgency to implement solutions.
“We hope that decision makers and key stakeholders will use the information in this report to help create more evidence-based changes that will improve the lives of families and our communities. We look forward to continuing our partnerships to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s safety net and mitigate the negative impacts of social determinants of health, including the lack of decent affordable housing.”
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The Hawaiʻi Budget & Policy Center (HBPC) is committed to a Hawaiʻi where all can thrive, and where state and local policies increase wellbeing and economic opportunity for all residents. We contribute to this by analyzing and reporting on public policy options and outcomes. Our principles include independence, economic fairness, empowerment, equity and nonpartisanship. HBPC is part of the nonprofit Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice.
AlohaCare is a community-led, non-profit health plan founded in 1994 by Hawaiʻi’s community health centers and is the only statewide health plan solely dedicated to serving residents who are eligible for Hawaiʻi’s QUEST Integration (Medicaid) and Medicare programs.
Hawaiʻi Pacific Health is a not-for-profit health care system of medical centers, clinics, physicians and other care providers. Our mission is to create a healthier Hawaiʻi. Anchored by our four medical centers—Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children, Pali Momi Medical Center, Straub Medical Center and Wilcox Medical Center—Hawaiʻi Pacific Health also includes more than 70 convenient locations statewide.
