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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.
Additional links: Webinar
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Homelessness and Housing Needs of Native American Veterans Toolkit (V2.0)
Report discusses homelessness among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) veterans. Provides data, cultural considerations, resources, and programs for addressing AI/AN veteran homelessness. Makes recommendations for programs and communities working to address this issue.
Author(s): Kristen E. Frosio, Alexandra B. Caloudas, Stephanie C. Day, et al.
Date: 10/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health
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Failing Septic Systems in Lowndes County, Alabama: Citizen Participation, Science, and Community Knowledge
Discusses sanitation infrastructure access in predominantly Black, rural Lowndes County, Alabama. Provides data on household demographics, sewage treatment type and availability, home ownership, and more. Discusses barriers to septic system installation, health risks of sewage exposure, and the significance of health equity for underserved communities.
Author(s): Elizabeth A. Albright, Catherine Coleman Flowers, Randall A. Kramer, Erika S. Weinthal
Citation: Local Environment, 29(2), 135-142
Date: 10/2023
Type: Document
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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 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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Maintaining Fidelity to ACT: Current Issues and Innovations in Implementation
Reports on principles, implementation, and population-based adaptions of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) model, which provides community-based treatment and recovery services for people with serious mental illness and high risk of concurrent substance use, homelessness, criminal justice system involvement, or psychiatric crisis. See pages 35-38 for discussion of rural ACT implementation and modifications.
Date: 09/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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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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