Housing needs assessments typically include an analysis of demographic and economic status and trends, using (or current state) information as a basis for the “baseline” establishment of new targets or goals. For example, assessments may be used to determine the number of new housing units needed for a particular demographic group, like income seniors. However, housing needs assessments can also provide an opportunity to use health data to augment and focus housing policy; for instance, taking childhood asthma hospitalization rates into account can help set standards for improving indoor air quality. Important questions to ask in the assessment: Do demographic characteristics drive any particular housing needs? A community’s housing needs are shaped by its many constituencies, including families with children, low- and moderate-income households, seniors, veterans, people with special needs, and the homeless. Each group may have particular health considerations connected with their housing needs. Do economic characteristics drive any particular housing needs? Consider residents’ levels, employment trends (e.g., are many residents commuting into the locality because they can’t afford to live where they work, or having to commute out of the locality to get to quality jobs?), and market analyses. Determine the affordable housing needs of the community by: Assessing the availability of and need for affordable housing, including areas where affordable housing shortages are increasing, or if there are increases in eviction rates and the reasons for those evictions; and Determining which populations are affected by affordable housing shortages and suffer the resulting health effects of those shortages. Do housing supply characteristics drive any particular housing needs? Consider housing tenure (rented or owner-occupied), vacancy, overcrowding, age, cost/affordability), emergency housing availability, quality and safety of housing units, and subsidized and unsubsidized housing. Many public health departments conduct community health needs assessments (CHNAs) to better understand the needs of the communities they serve. These assessments may take housing into account, and could be a source of relevant data to contribute to a housing needs assessment. In addition to an analysis of current conditions and future trends, communities should also assess previous housing elements’ implementation successes and challenges. A jurisdiction should also include a plan for evaluating the achievement of its vision and goals in
Housing needs assessments typically include an analysis of demographic and economic status and trends, using “baseline” (or current state) information as a basis for the establishment of new targets or goals. For example, assessments may be used to determine the number of new housing units needed for a particular demographic group, like seniors. However, housing needs assessments can also provide an opportunity to use health data to augment and focus housing policy; for instance, taking childhood asthma hospitalization rates into account can help set standards for improving indoor air quality. Important questions to ask in the assessment: Do demographic characteristics drive any particular housing needs? A community’s housing needs are shaped by its many constituencies, including families with children, low- and moderate-income households, seniors, veterans, people with special needs, and the homeless. Each group may have particular health considerations connected with their housing needs. Do economic characteristics drive any particular housing needs? Consider residents’ income levels, employment trends (e.g., are many residents commuting into the locality because they can’t afford to live where they work, or having to commute out of the locality to get to quality jobs?), and market analyses. Determine the affordable housing needs of the community by: Assessing the availability of and need for affordable housing, including areas where affordable housing shortages are increasing, or if there are increases in eviction rates and the reasons for those evictions; and Determining which populations are affected by affordable housing shortages and suffer the resulting health effects of those shortages. Do housing supply characteristics drive any particular housing needs? Consider housing tenure (rented or owner-occupied), vacancy, overcrowding, age, cost/affordability), emergency housing availability, quality and safety of housing units, and subsidized and unsubsidized housing. Many public health departments conduct community health needs assessments (CHNAs) to better understand the needs of the communities they serve. These assessments may take housing into account, and could be a source of relevant data to contribute to a housing needs assessment. In addition to an analysis of current conditions and future trends, communities should also assess previous housing elements’ implementation successes and challenges. A jurisdiction should also include a plan for evaluating the achievement of its vision and goals in
Model_Healthy_Housing_Comp_Plans_FINAL_20150312_2.docx