Access to safe and affordable housing plays an important role in our overall health. Not having housing can lead to chronic illness, mental health issues, and poor development in children. According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, “Most Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, and an estimated two-thirds of that time is spent in the home. Very young children spend even more time at home and are especially vulnerable to household hazards. Factors related to housing have the potential to help—or harm—our health in major ways.”
Not having access to affordable housing can lead to chronic stress and to families having to choose between rent and other necessities, such as food. One study shows that those children with poor access to affordable housing have more behavioral problems, poorer school performance, and worse health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Improved housing conditions can save lives, prevent disease, increase quality of life, reduce poverty, and help mitigate climate change. Housing is becoming increasingly important to health in light of urban growth, ageing populations and climate change.”
These grants support a collaborative approach to creating positive change in three primary SDoH action areas: Housing is Health, Food as Medicine and Health & Healing. The recipients are implementing projects that reduce health equity gaps and address SDoH affecting their communities.
OC Affordable Housing Production Initiative is committed to increasing the production of safe, affordable and stable housing for residents in Orange County and advocating for policy changes around issues of homelessness and housing insecurity
Contact information:
Blanca Arellano, barellano@hthf.org
951-551-4053
The OC Housing Stability is Health Partnership is creating systems change through community engagement (e.g., tenant education, organizing, and protections), state and local anti-displacement policies, and production of healthy and affordable housing options.
Contact information:
Cesar Covarrubias, cesarc@kennedycommission.org
949-250-0909
The Collaborative is increasing housing equity by creating a Low-Yield Charitable Real Estate Fund and developing a stronger network of services. By offering a new option for housing investment, the number of families who are severely rent burdened is expected to decrease 10% annually.
Contact information:
Christy Cornwall, christy.cornwall@stjoe.org
949-203-1227
The OC Housing Stability is Health Partnership is creating systems change through community engagement (e.g., tenant education, organizing, and protections), state and local anti-displacement policies, and production of healthy and affordable housing options.
Contact information:
Becky Nguyen, admin@vacf.org
714-751-5805
The Salvation Army Orange County is the lead organization for the Eagleman Housing Project in partnership with United American Indian Involvement (UAII) and Family Solutions Collaborative (FSC). The Project is committed to improving the family homeless response system by addressing the many barriers and roadblocks for families and individuals.
Contact information:
Michelle Yang, michelle.yang@usw.salvationarmy.org
714-210-6023
