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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Housing and homelessness

The U.S. Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health
Provides an overview of social determinants of health (SDOH) and the links between SDOH and health outcomes. Describes federal actions to date to address SDOH and outlines a set of framework actions that federal agencies are undertaking to support health by improving the social circumstances of individuals and communities. Highlights federal programs, toolkits, and guidance that front-line workers and organizations can use to improve the delivery of health and social services. Includes rural and tribal references throughout.
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: The White House
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Rural America at a Glance: 2023 Edition
Provides an overview of social and economic factors affecting rural America, with a focus on population migration, poverty, housing insecurity, and employment. Includes metro and nonmetro comparisons.
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Severe Housing Problems in Kentucky
Reports on severe housing problems in Kentucky using 2019 American Community Survey data. Compares rates of severe housing problems by property type and problems experienced, with breakdowns for urban, rural, and very rural areas. Also discusses the health impacts of inadequate housing and identifies areas for improvement.
Author(s): Joe Kercsmar
Date: 10/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Community & Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky
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Key Informant Perspectives on Rural Housing and Health
Summarizes findings from interviews with key informants from 27 national organizations and federal agencies regarding rural-specific barriers to housing and identifies three themes: availability, age and quality of housing stock, and affordability. Describes impacts of rural housing challenges on health. Discusses policy recommendations for addressing housing-related issues to improve rural health.
Author(s): Megan Lahr, Katie Rydberg, Madeleine Pick, Mariana Tuttle, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 10/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Houselessness and Syringe Service Program Utilization among People Who Inject Drugs in Eight Rural Areas Across the USA: A Cross-sectional Analysis
Examines the relationship between houselessness and syringe service program (SSP) use among people who inject drugs (PWID) in rural areas. Analyzes survey data from self-identified PWID across 10 states and explores data on PWID demographic profile, related drug use, proximity to SSPs, and more. Discusses housing instability in rural areas and potential barriers to SSP use.
Author(s): April M. Ballard, Dylan Falk, Harris Greenwood, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 20, 157
Date: 10/2023
Type: Document
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Rural/Urban Differences in Receipt of Governmental Rental Assistance: Relationship to Health and Disability
Examines the relationship of housing to health and disability. Utilizes 2021 National Health Interview Survey data to analyze home ownership and rental assistance by rural versus urban location, with further breakdowns by age, gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status, education and employment status, self-rated health, region, and disability status.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Alexis Swendener, Katie Rydberg, Megan Lahr, Hawking Yam
Citation: The Journal of Rural Health
Date: 10/2023
Type: Document
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Rural Housing, featuring David Lipsetz
An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring David Lipsetz, President and CEO of the Housing Assistance Council. Focuses on housing in rural communities, and the funding programs and organizations that support safe and affordable rural housing.
Date: 10/2023
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Action Guide: Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living
Offers strategies for partnership building for improving accessibility and safety of existing homes for residents that are aging or have disabilities. Includes examples of successful partnerships across the country and discusses rural specific challenges.
Date: 09/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USAging
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Rural New York: Challenges and Opportunities
Provides comparative data for the 10 rural counties in New York. Discusses issues such as transportation, aging and overall declining population, shrinking labor force, and lack of access to adequate housing, food, healthcare, and broadband.
Author(s): Thomas P. DiNapoli
Date: 09/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of the New York State Comptroller
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Young Adult Homelessness: Options to Improve Employment and Housing Security
Discusses issues related to youth homelessness, such as the criminal justice system, foster care, education, lack of resources, underemployment, and experiences specific to rural areas. Provides policy options and examples that address youth homelessness.
Date: 09/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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