St. Louis residents, community leaders, and professionals convened for the Da Link Up, a free community event designed to spark conversations, foster connections, and inspire solutions for pressing social issues. The event was a live podcast panel discussion exploring the impact of housing stability on health outcomes.
The first event in this series, “The Link Between Housing and Health,” occurred Thursday, March 6, at the Trolley Room in the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor & Education Center. Organized by Da Hood Connect, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing social and economic barriers in Black and under-resourced communities, in partnership with Da Hood Talks Podcast, Healthy Blue, IHN, and other local organizations.
Shavanna Spratt-Bailey, founder of the Da Hood Talks Podcast and executive director of Da Hood Connect. She believes housing and health are deeply intertwined because of the disparities in Black and brown communities. Historically, underserved communities nationwide have faced discriminatory policies– redlining, predatory lending, and disinvestment in neighborhoods. This has led to unsafe, unstable housing conditions that directly impact health outcomes. “This conversation is critical because it shines a light on the root causes of these disparities and challenges us to take collective action toward change,” said Spratt-Bailey.
“Housing and health are deeply connected—when people have stable, safe housing, they have better health outcomes and greater opportunities,” “Da Link Up is more than an event, it’s a movement to bring people together, elevate community voices, and take real steps toward change.” Community members engaged in interactive group discussions reflecting on key takeaways while collaborating and identifying top community priorities for action.
The top priority is tackling the housing crisis boosted by the pandemic.
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. In the blink of an eye our everyday living was now a threat to our health. Non-essential workers were forced to stay home and the ripple effect of a financial crisis and the rising number of unhoused families were on the rise. In June 2020, 20% of households did not pay any rent by the first of the month. The Habitat for Humanity Report also showed the number of borrowers who have deferred payments on their home loans has climbed.
In the week ending July 12, 2020, the total number of loans in forbearance was 7.8%. According to experts, the pandemic spurred the housing crisis in cities across the nation. The pandemic turned the U.S. real estate market upside down. Politico surveyed 50 mayors on housing challenges in their cities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many believe the cost of housing continues to rise twice as fast compared to other basic needs. The affordable midmarket and workforce housing in the U.S. is shrinking. Also, funding and the limited availability of land are some of the barriers to building more housing many mayors face.
“When people don’t have a secure place to live, their ability to maintain employment, access healthcare, and care for their families is compromised housing is healthcare,” Spratt-Bailey said to the crowd at her event. “Without stability, achieving good health is nearly impossible, A secure home is a basic human need and the foundation for a healthy life.”
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Healthy People 2030 Report states residents of impoverished communities are at increased risk for mental illness, chronic disease, higher mortality, and lower life expectancy. Individuals who experience childhood poverty are more likely to experience poverty into adulthood, which contributes to generational cycles of poverty. In addition to the lasting effects of childhood poverty, adults living in poverty are at a higher risk of adverse health effects from obesity, smoking, substance use, and chronic stress. The report also shows older adults with lower incomes experience higher rates of disability and mortality.
One study found that men and women in the top 1% of income were expected to live 14.6 and 10.1 years longer respectively than men and women in the bottom 1%. Poverty is a multifaceted issue that will require multi-pronged approaches to address. Strategies that improve the economic mobility of families may help to alleviate the negative effects of poverty. For instance, tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit alleviate financial burdens for families with lower and middle incomes by reducing the amount of taxes owed. Two of the nation’s largest social assistance programs are Medicaid, which provides health coverage, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance.
Spratt-Bailey hopes the region will begin to use bold solutions to the housing crisis that put the community first and not corporations. For example, expanding affordable housing, enforcing tenant protections, and investing in healthy homes. Also, supporting homeownership through
land trusts, first-time buyer programs, and financial education. “By prioritizing economic opportunity, tenant rights, and equitable development, we can create a St. Louis where everyone has access to safe housing and better health,” she said.
“This event is about building a collective movement, and if each guest walks away feeling inspired and connected to contribute to that change in some way, then we’ve done our job.”