Why it Matters?

People who live in homes that cost a large portion of their income, or where there is overcrowding or poor maintenance, are exposed to a variety of health risk factors. In many areas of North Carolina, there are insufficient affordable, quality housing options for low-income people and their families.

Without access to an affordable, stable housing environment, other issues such as substance abuse, mental health and healthy eating get put on the back burner. The physiological needs of proper housing/shelter must be met before behavior change in higher health needs can occur.

The Numbers

What Does This Mean for Macon?

• 37% of rental units were spending >30% of their household income on housing and 14.3% were spending >50% of their household income on housing.
• 32.4% of adults were worried or stressed about paying rent or mortgage in the past year.
• 4.6% of adults lived on the street, in a care, or in a temporary shelter in the past three years.
• Nearly one in five adults (18%) had a time in the past year when their home was without electricity, water or heating.
• The health issue is related to the HNC 2030 desired results and indicators for improved housing quality.

What’s Helping?

• Subsidized housing/apartment complexes

What’s Hurting?

• High cost of housing
• Lack of affordable housing
• Lack of housing in general
• Long commutes from communities with more affordable housing
• Impact of short-term rentals
• Increased building costs

Who’s Most Impacted?

• Low income
• People experiencing homelessness
• Veteran and veterans with disabilities
• People who access housing through section 8
• People with disabilities

What Else Do We Know?

• Housing quality is an important determinant of overall health and well-being.
• Studies show that there is a direct link between housing quality and physical and mental health.

​​​​​​​What Works to Do Better?

• Examples identified by CHA Prioritization attendees:
  • Government role in affordable housing.