Mark Luigi Dacumos
The Link Between Housing Instability and Stress
Instability often leads to stress. Where do we often find stability? In our homes, so it makes sense that having to constantly move due to a lack of funds or having to live on the streets can lead to stress.
Studies have found that when compared to kids from stable homes, homeless children are more likely to suffer from:
- Depression
- Developmental issues
- Mental health problems
- Poor cognition
Stability from affordable housing helps adults, too, as research shows that homeless people had improved mental health once they had long-term roofs over their heads.
Is homelessness the only type of housing instability that can harm a person’s mental health? No, as researchers found that frequent moves, crowded housing, foreclosures, and eviction could lead to feelings of hopelessness, depression, and stress.
One significant factor in mental health as it relates to housing is time. The longer someone lives in a building without having to move, the less likely they are to suffer from depression. This was found to be especially true among seniors. And when it comes to adolescents, being able to stay in one place for a long time often led to fewer bouts of aggression and anxiety.
In keeping with the adolescent theme, it seems as if they are impacted the most by unstable housing. It’s no surprise that children can suffer through the foster care system, but the same holds if their own families are frequently on the move.
When you shift to different cities or states, you lack continuity with healthcare. Your child may lose the doctor they had, and never get a new one since you can’t stay in one place. Such cases affect young children the most, as those under three years old were found to weigh less than kids in stable housing. They also had a higher risk of developmental issues.
All of these problems can compound too and get worse with age. One study found that adolescents who moved four or more times before their sixteenth birthday had a higher risk of using drugs.
Beyond homelessness and constant moving, other housing issues can also have significant impacts on health. Even these milder housing instability symptoms have been shown to harm psychological well-being and lead to a higher need for medical services amongst men:
- A constant need for home repairs.
- Inability to pay utility bills.
- Problems paying the mortgage.
Gain Housing Stability via Section 8
As you can see, a lack of housing stability can be much more than just an inconvenience. It can lead to stress, which can grow into other health issues.
If you have a problem paying your rent and would finally like to gain some stability with housing, apply for a Section 8 voucher. It can limit how much rent you pay out of pocket, giving you more breathing room with your monthly budget.
Click here to contact your Public Housing Agency and get started.
