Housing As Health Care

September 2, 2025 |

Housing is more than shelter—it is health care. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that stable housing reduces the risk of poor health outcomes, including chronic disease and mental illness (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). Conversely, housing instability is associated with higher rates of emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and premature death (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine [NASEM], 2020).

In Middle Georgia, findings from the recent Dublin/Laurens County Housing Summit confirmed that rising housing costs, limited rental stock, and an aging population are straining community stability. Nearly half of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, leaving little room for other essentials such as food, transportation, and medical care.

For behavioral health providers like CSBMG, the connection is clear: individuals in crisis need more than treatment—they need safe and affordable housing. Through partnerships with local governments, nonprofits, and state agencies, we are working to integrate housing stability into recovery planning.

As payers and providers seek to improve outcomes, housing must be viewed as a core part of health care delivery. Simply put, investing in housing saves lives.

References

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2020). Permanent supportive housing: Evaluating the evidence for improving health outcomes among people experiencing chronic homelessness. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25133

World Health Organization. (2023). From loneliness to social connection: Charting a path to healthier societies. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240077565