From Prevention Institute, March 27, 2020
Physical distancing has become key to managing the coronavirus pandemic in the United States. But the economic disruption that accompanies “sheltering in place” has caused millions of people to lose their jobs. Come April 1, when the rent or mortgage payment is due, the many people who just became unemployed and those who were already living paycheck to paycheck will be at risk of losing their homes in addition to their livelihoods.
Stable, safe, and affordable housing is key to health. If the coronavirus makes the nation’s affordable housing crisis even worse than it already was—which is what is being predicted in states like California—then we will see a surge of poor health outcomes that are not caused directly by coronavirus but are caused by it indirectly. Without stable, affordable housing, people are more likely to experience respiratory and cardiovascular disease, unintentional injury, and mental health challenges, among others.
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