Roger Williams University: HousingWorks RI At RWU Releases 2021 Housing Fact Book

Press release from Roger Williams University:

October 15, 2021

PROVIDENCE, RI – The 2021 Housing Fact Book released today by HousingWorks RI (HWRI) at Roger Williams University takes an expanded look at the intersection between housing and health, and uses the framework of the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) to explore how healthy, affordable homes connect Rhode Islanders to the opportunity for overall wellbeing. 

In Rhode Island, the primary driver of the health risks posed by the state’s housing is the age of our housing stock, with nearly three-quarters predating safety regulations for contaminants like lead and asbestos. Older homes also pose hazards related to accessibility and cost more to heat and cool. Housing of any age can lead to health risks if not maintained or kept clean. Untended safety repairs can lead to burns, trips, and falls, posing risks especially to the youngest and oldest members of any household. While Rhode Island continues to make gains related to healthy homes, thousands of households remain at risk. 

Lead poisoning poses the greatest risk to children aged three years and younger due to their developing central nervous systems, however, significant risks remain through age five. Of the 66,588 children aged five and under in Rhode Island, 73% live in units built before 1980, and 48% of those aged 3 and under. While physical disabilities affect Rhode Islanders of all ages, the largest segment is older people. Of those aged 65 or older, 23% (40,243) have a disability and live in a home constructed before 1980. 

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated housing’s key role in health and wellbeing, and evidenced the disparate impact across Rhode Island’s communities. In meeting these disparities head on, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has emerged as a leader in integrating the Social Determinants of Health and promoting health equity. With Health Equity Zones (HEZ) operational across 26–out of 39 Rhode Island municipalities–municipalities are seeking to make the improvements necessary to reducing disparities.

As observed by Rhode Island Department of Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH: “This 2021 Housing Fact Book makes clear that housing is one of the many community level factors that impacts health outcomes very significantly. Everyone deserves the opportunity to live a healthy life, no matter their ZIP code, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, level of education, level of income, or insurance status. To make this vision a reality, we must ensure that everyone has access to healthy, affordable housing. RIDOH will continue to partner with HousingWorks RI and organizations throughout Rhode Island that are working to build health through efforts like this at the community level.” 

Among the SDOH domains, economic stability remains critical to HousingWorks RI’s vision for Rhode Island. Despite the recent rebound in employment, a housing wage gap has been present in Rhode Island for many years, but was further highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the dominance of hard-hit industries like food service and hospitality, Rhode Island experienced a slower recovery than the New England region. The state’s unemployment rate in June 2021 was 5.9%, compared to 5.3% regionally. Even when employed, however, the state’s high growth occupations do not meet the wages needed to affordably own or rent. Of the more than 11,000 jobs represented by the top 20 “high growth occupations,” 72% of them do not pay enough to affordably rent the 2020 average two-bedroom apartment in Rhode Island.  

“The affordability crisis in Rhode Island has only been exacerbated by the effects of COVID-19,” said Brenda Clement, Director of HousingWorks RI. “Urgent housing needs across the state, and the continued barriers to the development of new homes, underscore the need for state and local leaders to remain vigilant in their efforts to ensure adequate funding. With the state’s per capita investment–at $18.34 in 2020–continuously remaining the lowest per capita state investment in New England, the time for government leaders to produce, preserve, and sustain Rhode Island’s housing inventory, is long overdue. We must make the necessary investments today to ensure a prosperous future for Rhode Island and its residents long-term.”  

Other key facts regarding affordability from this year’s book reveals: 

HousingWorks RI released the 2021 Housing Fact Book virtually today. Community partners, industry leaders, and elected officials gathered to listen to a presentation of the Housing Fact Book’s key findings by Annette Bourne, HousingWorks RI’s Research and Policy Director, and to hear from Adrianne Todman, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as the event’s keynote speaker. The Deputy Secretary discussed her plans for HUD and the state of the nation’s housing, and participated in a Q&A.  

The 2021 Housing Fact Book can be found electronically at www.housingworksri.org. 

This press release was produced by the Roger Williams University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.