A REPORT FROM THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION
Housing affordability is also important for employers trying to attract skilled workers to a region. When the cost of housing near employment is out of reach for entry-level and mid-level employees, employers may find it challenging to attract skilled workers and some face employee absenteeism and turnover 4,5. An additional economic benefit of affordable housing comes from the foregone costs of providing social services to the elderly, homeless, or disabled. Studies show that home and community-based services for the elderly and permanent supportive housing for persons with disabilities are significantly more costeffective than institutionalized care or relying on jails and emergency rooms 6,7. An investment in housing that is affordable is fiscally responsible, with a significant return on investment.
Health and Education Benefits Housing plays a significant role in our physical and mental health. For lowincome individuals and families, lack of housing that is affordable can have a multitude of adverse effects, including: • Families in unaffordable housing are likely to cut back on nutritious food and health care 8.
A Note On Terminology Activities such as housing construction and rehabilitation stimulate local economies in several ways. For housing development, “direct” impacts occur when developers hire workers and purchase materials from local suppliers. In turn, the suppliers purchase additional materials and labor to fill the developer’s order, producing “indirect impacts.” The workers employed, directly and indirectly, further stimulate the economy by spending their wages locally (“induced impacts”).
Medicaide Expenditures Per Person Served
• Access to safe, uncrowded housing is central to preventing the spread of COVID-19. Households and individuals that are forced to double up, “couch surf,” or with other housing instability issues are more likely to contract and spread COVID-19 9.
Economic Impacts:
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