Social determinants of health are the conditions and environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that can significantly influence health outcomes. One social determinant of health is housing, as there is an important relationship between health outcomes and housing stability and quality. According to 2023 data, Kane County is facing a severe housing crisis, with only 0.6% housing availability throughout the regional market. One contributing factor to this current housing crisis is the steep costs for rent. For example, a 3-bedroom rental unit in the Elgin area averages between $3,000-$3,500 per month, which many families cannot afford. This has created an increased rate of housing instability in Kane County, which can have serious implications for the health outcomes of Kane County residents.
Housing and physical health
Because of the limited rental market across the United States, people with lower incomes are often forced to rent housing that directly exposes them to physical health risks, including mold, vermin, water damage, inadequate heating/cooling, etc.
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Children who move homes three or more times in one year are more likely to have chronic health conditions, poor physical health, and less consistent health insurance coverage.
2People experiencing homelessness, the most severe form of housing instability, are significantly more likely to have diabetes, hypertension, asthma, HIV/AIDS, and heart disease. They are also more likely to experience physical violence.
3,4Pregnant women who experience homelessness are more likely to deliver preterm and low birthweight babies.
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Households are considered cost burdened if they spend over 30% of their income on housing costs, and severely cost burdened if they spend over 50% of their income on housing costs.
6 With more of the budget allocated to housing, less can be allocated to determinants of health, such as buying healthy foods or paying health insurance costs.
Housing and mental health
People with lower incomes are more likely to move in with others to afford housing costs, which can lead to overcrowding. Overcrowding in a home can impact stress levels, relationships, sleep patterns and quality, and overall mental health outcomes.
6People experiencing homelessness are significantly more likely to experience major depressive symptoms.5 Additionally, people with preexisting, severe, and persistent mental illness make up roughly 30% of the homeless population across the United States.
7Home foreclosures have been associated with worsened mental health outcomes, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, alcohol consumption, and suicide.
8While there is a housing crisis across Kane County, there are also supportive
resources available.
Resources
Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness
National Low Income Housing Coalition's Out of Reach/High Cost of Housing Report
University of Illinois Chicago's Black Homelessness in Illinois: Structural Drivers of Inequality
