Affordable and safe housing is a basic component to the well-being and health of families. Without adequate housing, families have trouble managing every aspect of their daily lives. Research has shown that affordable housing is crucial to helping people living with chronic diseases such as HIV to better manage their treatment regimens and achieve their chance of better health outcomes. Overall, individuals or families stably housed can focus on meeting their health needs better than those who do not have stable housing.
Individuals and families without adequate housing experience difficulties maintaining their physical and mental health; gaining or maintaining employment; maintaining or making healthy relationships; and making good decisions. In addition, housing instability greatly increases personal stress which can lead to or exacerbate a number of physical and mental health issues.
Stable housing provides a foundation for individuals with chronic illness such as HIV to improve their health outcomes and their lives. Stable housing allows for the participation in the consistent delivery of health care and supportive services. Healthcare providers and support staff can follow up with patients more easily when they know where patients live and how to contact them.
