A study by Cornell economist Michael Lovenheim finds a strong correlation between home prices and college attendance. The housing boom led to increased college enrollment nationwide, with the effect being particularly strong among middle and lower-income families.
A new UBC study reveals that single parents and male gay couples are nearly 25% and 15% more likely to be rejected by landlords, respectively. The study found geographic variation in discrimination rates, with certain neighborhoods exhibiting increased levels of bias towards single parents.
A new UCLA study finds that implementing complete smoke-free rules can reduce smoking-related costs by nearly half, resulting in estimated property savings of $18 million. Nearly half of properties have no smoke-free policies, with smaller ones having a higher rate of compliance.
A new study by Simone Polillo argues that the recent financial crisis was rooted in the politics of creditworthiness, which excluded marginalized groups from traditional mortgage lending criteria. This led to the rise of wildcat financial innovators who created more inclusive but unstable credit systems.
Dr. Elizabeth Hausler receives award for sustainable reconstruction in developing countries, improving lives of millions through culturally accepted and economically viable buildings.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has received a $500,000 grant from the California Community Foundation to fund primary healthcare and case management services for vulnerable children. The grant will support COACH for Kids and Their Families program, providing no-cost health services to over 10,500 individuals in underserved communities.
A new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that improving living conditions, sanitation, and community organization can significantly reduce child malnutrition rates. In rural Guatemala, families who received non-agricultural land and housing experienced a decline in malnutrition rates, while those who remained in squatt...
A University of Missouri project empowers women living with HIV to make changes by taking pictures and documenting their lives. The photos help identify social, mental, and physical challenges and possible solutions, enabling the women to resolve issues such as difficult housing situations.
A team led by Boston College's Rebekah Levine Coley is studying the link between housing and child development in low-income families. The three-year project will analyze data from the Three-City Study to understand how housing influences children's physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development.
Researchers found that local lenders offered lower delinquency and foreclosure rates for higher-risk borrowers compared to distant banks. Local lenders considered additional factors beyond credit scores, such as employment history and savings habits.
A new report by Brown University sociologists John Logan and Brian Stults found that despite increased diversity, American neighborhoods remain segregated. The US2010 project analyzed data from the American Community Survey to track changes in society over time.
A Brown University-led study reveals significant geographic disparities in lead poisoning rates across Rhode Island, with some areas experiencing rates as high as 48.6% among young children. The analysis highlights the need for targeted cleanup efforts to address these disparities and mitigate the long-term effects of lead poisoning.
The study found that stricter limitations on land development lead to higher rental and purchase prices, while people saving for a house in markets with limited land availability need larger down payments and buy houses later in life. The research also suggests that relaxing borrowing constraints increases home ownership rates
A study by Woodrow Wilson School scholars Jacob Rugh and Douglas Massey found that black and Hispanic segregation were powerful predictors of foreclosures in the US. The authors argue that institutional racism played a significant role in the crisis, with greater civil rights enforcement needed to prevent future catastrophic losses.
A new housing design tool, EVOLVE, helps assess the quality of life for older people by evaluating physical support and personal well-being. The tool evaluates buildings based on user requirements such as accessibility, health and safety, and security, providing a domain score.
A report by Queen's University Belfast finds that Northern Ireland's social housing provision is inadequately funded, violating international human rights standards. The report recommends increasing funding for new social housing and tackling land banking practices to address the housing crisis.
Research shows that public housing residents are exposed to toxins from tobacco smoke, even if they don't smoke themselves. The authors argue that a ban on smoking in public housing units is necessary to protect the health of all residents, particularly children, who are more vulnerable to the effects of second-hand smoke.
A study from the University of Rochester Medical Center found that children living in apartments are still exposed to tobacco smoke, even when they don't live with smokers. This is due to seepage through walls and shared ventilation, which can carry nicotine from neighboring units.
Researchers found that hermit crabs gather in groups and queue up for new shells, increasing the chances of finding improved housing. This social behavior is similar to human apartment hunting and can be applied to other animals relying on reusable resources.
Researchers will examine the relationship between housing status and cardiovascular risk among nearly 1,000 Latino adults. The study aims to influence housing policy and reduce racial disparities in cardiovascular health.
A new mathematical model developed by Indiana University and Arizona State University geographers can help policymakers focus on spatial management of sex offenders, rather than punitive measures. The model allows communities to quantify risk and special concerns, enabling informed decision-making about sex offender policies.
Despite quality issues and social stigma, a majority of Pennsylvania's mobile home residents are satisfied with their homes. The primary benefit of living in a mobile home is affordability, according to Penn State researchers who found that 48% of respondents cited affordability as a major advantage.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists found that housing development around national parks and protected areas poses a significant threat to wildlife habitats. The research used data from the US Census and local sources to track changes in housing units near conserved lands since 1940, projecting growth rates until 2030.
A new study has found that housing development near national parks and protected areas can reduce their conservation value by interrupting travel corridors for animals and altering habitats. As a result, researchers project an additional 17 million housing units will be built within 50 kilometers of protected areas by 2030.
A new study published in Journal of American College Health reveals that coed college housing increases the risk of binge drinking by 2.5 times compared to all-male or all-female housing. Over 500 students from various campuses participated, with 42% of coed housing residents reporting weekly binge drinking.
Research reveals that older workers in Missouri are spending more on transportation, education, and insurance but less on health care and out-of-pocket expenses. The study suggests that older Americans may be working due to financial needs rather than necessity, with lower healthcare costs indicating they might be healthier.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reveals that nearly half of people in foreclosure report depressive symptoms, with 37% meeting criteria for major depression. The authors urge policymakers to tie health interventions to their response to the housing crisis.
A proven intervention program will be expanded to more women in public housing through a new $3.1 million grant. The Sister to Sister program, which utilizes help from former smokers and provides nicotine patches and group support, has shown promising results in helping women quit smoking.
Health professionals face challenges in addressing Indigenous health disparities due to colonization and globalization, according to Canadian researchers. Traditional healing practices, language retention, and self-determination are key factors in promoting well-being for Indigenous peoples.
The 2009 Greendex survey reports an increase in environmentally friendly consumer behavior in 13 of the 14 surveyed countries. Top-scoring consumers are in developing economies like India, Brazil, and China, while American and Canadian consumers rank last.
Experts warn that the buy-to-let market will survive the recession, but smaller private landlords will struggle to compete. The report suggests that lenders will favor established properties over new builds in city centers, limiting geographical access for investors.
Researchers will evaluate health and monetary benefits of green, affordable housing for low-income residents, comparing data before and after moving. They expect significant improvements in respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and mental health outcomes.
A study found that providing housing and case management to homeless adults with chronic medical illnesses significantly reduces hospitalizations and emergency department visits. The intervention resulted in a 29% reduction in hospitalizations, 24% in hospital days, and 29% in emergency department visits compared to usual care.
A study found that providing housing for chronically homeless individuals with severe alcohol problems leads to significant reductions in healthcare use and costs. Housing First (HF) programs, which allow for non-abstinence-based treatment, showed cost savings of over $4 million per year.
A Seattle-based study published in JAMA found that providing stable housing to homeless alcoholics can reduce their drinking and cost taxpayers $4 million over the first year. The Housing First program resulted in an average cost-savings of 53% compared to a wait-list control group.
A new £692,000 research program will investigate why vulnerable people with complex needs become homeless and how to prevent it. The project aims to develop a greater understanding of homeless individuals who face multiple problems such as drug dependencies, mental health issues, and institutional experiences.
Researchers found that free-range chickens are more susceptible to disease, particularly bacterial and parasitic infections. The study, published in Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, suggests that this is due to the challenges of managing these systems, leading to higher mortality rates.
A preliminary study by Durham University found that struggling households in the UK have borrowed against their homes to meet basic needs like raising children. On average, these households borrowed an additional £5000 to £7500 in a given year.
The UH Center for Public Policy will create a comprehensive real estate database to understand the complexities of foreclosure in Houston. The database will contain information on home sales, rents, listings, and foreclosures from 2000 to 2008.
A new study by the Children's Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program (C-SNAP) found that 38% of families with children under three were experiencing frequent moves or overcrowded living conditions, leading to increased hunger and poor health. The 'hidden homeless' families are at a higher risk of poor health compared to those in stable ...
Experts warn that retirement accounts lost 18% of value between 2007-2008, and housing prices fell by 4-20% in the same period. The current financial crisis affects those planning to spend down assets in retirement.
A study by K-State economist Tracy Turner and DePaul University professor Marc Smith found that programs assisting low-income households with home purchases may do more harm than good, leading to higher rates of foreclosure. The research highlights the need for post-purchase support to help vulnerable homeowners sustain their homes.
A recent study found that exposure to green spaces significantly narrowed the health gap between rich and poor populations. In England, areas with more green space had half as large a difference in mortality rates between the richest and poorest individuals compared to those in less green areas.
A three-year research project aims to reduce CO2 emissions from UK homes by upgrading existing properties with low-carbon technologies. The E.ON 2016 House, a fully-equipped test facility, will track energy consumption and emissions data to identify effective improvements.
A new UNC study finds that families with disabled children, regardless of income level, experience significant challenges with food, housing, and health issues. The study suggests expanding eligibility standards for federal programs to assist these families, including increasing income limits for food stamps and housing assistance.
Despite increased life expectancy, Americans aged 65+ face disparities in health status, economic security, and education. Key findings include a widening gap in median net worth between white and black households, as well as lower life expectancies compared to other industrialized countries.
The city's transformation provides insight into the shifting dynamics of belonging and identity in small- to medium-sized U.S. cities. Woodburn's farmworker housing struggle reflects a deep resistance to Mexican immigrants, yet today there are visible changes in multicultural identity.
A cross-sectional survey of 437 Palestinian refugees found over half lived in one room only with no access to external ventilation or heating. Residents complained of damp and mould, while children under 15 were more likely to live in overcrowded conditions.
A new study suggests that urban sprawl has continued to grow significantly in the US over the past few decades, particularly in exurban areas. The research found significant increases in fragmentation of land use patterns, with housing development juxtaposed with agricultural or forested areas.
A study found that urban African-American women have difficulty meeting dietary goals that could help prevent cancer. The researchers linked high-risk dietary behaviors to younger age, depression, smoking, and birthplace in the District of Columbia.
Research highlights correlation between unstable housing and higher likelihood of HIV transmission; stable housing linked to reduced risk behaviors and improved healthcare outcomes. Findings challenge prevailing models and suggest housing as a key target for intervention to combat the AIDS epidemic.
A study in Ecological Applications finds that cluster development reduces habitat loss, but the placement of housing developments around sensitive areas like lakeshores can exacerbate environmental effects. The researchers suggest that clusters must be located away from these areas to reduce impacts.
A recent study found that foster youth who leave the system are more likely to experience homelessness and have unstable housing situations, leading to higher rates of uninsuredness and unmet medical needs. Approximately half of emancipated participants were still in the foster care system, highlighting the need for continued support.
Money illusion refers to the phenomenon where people base their decisions on nominal values rather than real value, leading to irrational behavior in markets. Experimental evidence shows that firms are reluctant to cut prices during deflation due to money illusion, but more willing to increase prices during inflation.
A study found that fair or poor housing conditions increase the risk of developing diabetes in urban, middle-aged African-Americans. Housing conditions, such as cleanliness and physical condition, were evaluated to clarify the relationship between environment and health outcomes.
Researchers found that sub-standard housing more than doubled diabetes risk among study participants. Despite ruling out other factors, housing conditions remain a significant contributor to the development of diabetes in this population.
A University of Alberta study finds Chinese and White immigrants have the highest adjusted homeownership rates, while Black immigrants face the lowest rates. The study suggests that differences in homeownership patterns are largely due to factors such as wealth, social networks, and knowledge of the real estate market.
A new study by the University of Arizona suggests that environmental factors can significantly impact research results. Researchers found that mice housed in enriched environments showed reduced arterial defects and less disorganized tissue compared to those in standard cages.
A study by Durham University found that nearly two-thirds of English mortgage holders have almost all their savings tied to their home. This means nearly a quarter are taking a diversified approach, balancing investments between home ownership and other financial portfolios.
A study by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that the median length of time to eliminate lead exposure in Wisconsin homes was 465 days, with only 18% completed within six months.