Crowded Housing in Washington

Washington

Overcrowding (defined as housing with multiple occupants per room) has a number of negative effects on physical health and overall well-being. Residential crowding makes it easier for diseases like tuberculosis and other respiratory infections to spread. Further, overcrowding and lack of ventilation can promote a moist environment perfect for mites, roaches and molds, all of which contribute to respiratory problems. Many studies have established links between asthma and environmental triggers such as air pollution, urban density, ventilation and crowding. Living in crowded conditions can also give rise to psychological distress and is associated with behavioral issues and poor academic performance in children.

The number of households living in crowded housing conditions spiked in the U.S. during the Great Recession. Rates of crowded housing have not returned to pre-recession levels, although there has been an overall decline since 2010. Between 2007 and 2017, the number of households living in rental units with more than one occupant per room increased from less than 37 million to an estimated 43.4 million.

Those at greater risk of experiencing housing-related health conditions include:

• Low-income families and individuals. 
• Renters compared with homeowners.
• Racial and ethnic minorities. 
• Individuals with mental illness.
• Children.
• Older adults.

Evidence supports various interventions to prevent and minimize the impact of housing problems on health. Healthy Homes programs at state and local levels have been found to improve health by remedying hazardous housing conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers more information and guidelines in their Healthy Housing Reference Manual, a comprehensive resource for public health and housing professionals. 

Increasing affordable housing options through local and national housing development policies, rental vouchers, subsidized housing and utility assistance programs can help reduce overcrowding. More collaboration between the housing and public health sectors is needed to promote healthy home environments and better integrate health care into the housing system, particularly for those with chronic health needs. The National Low Income Housing Coalition offers additional resources and policy recommendations related to housing challenges.

Healthy People 2030 identifies quality of housing as a key issue in the neighborhood and built environment domain. 

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Healthy Housing Reference Manual. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2006. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/publications/books/housing/housing.htm.

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