Friday Facts and Stats: Affordable Housing and Health Status Outcomes Part 2

Alright, as promised here is the second half of The Center for Housing Policy article.

• Affordable housing can increase access to amenities and encourage outdoor activity
• Increased exposure to poverty is linked to increased stress and exposure to violent and traumatic events
• Those who feel safe in their environment are less likely to go outside
• Creating walking and biking paths near grocery and retail stores can improve health outcomes

• By decreasing stressors and the number of people in a home, affordable housing can increase physical and mental health and decrease infectious disease

• Affordable housing can help survivors of domestic abuse
• Domestic abuse is one of the leading causes of homelessness in the US; abuse tends to occur during times in stress
• Limited income and spotty employment can impact a survivor's ability to get housing
• Survivors are more likely to be passed over, but it is hard to monitor

• When affordable housing is linked to support services for older adults, they are more likely to "age in place"
• The current housing market is not prepared to let people age at home
• There is a possibility to improve homes and link residents with home health services

First Ride of the Season

As the count down begins until the official jersey is unveiled and the first trip dips their back wheel in the Atlantic Ocean, bikers are eagerly getting in their required miles.  Today the DC new riders and alumni grabbed breakfast and headed out for the first official group ride of the season.  The first stop was out to the National Arboretum.  Seriously I never get tired of this place.  

Headstands anyone?!?

The next stop on the trip was the Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens.  This park, which is operated by the National Park Service, covers 700 acres in the District.  Walter B Shaw, a Civil War vet, bought the land and brought the waterlilies with him.  After his death, the land was passed onto his daughter and eventually purchased by Congress in 1938.  I didn't get any good pictures, so here is one from another trip.

Back on the Anacostia Trail.  The new riders were rocking the safety triangles!

 
Nats Stadium

The final stop on our tour was Hains Point. 

And the final group shot.  Until the next ride!!

Friday Facts and Stats: Affordable Housing and Health Status Outcomes Part 1

So I have been a little lax over the last few weeks with the facts and stats, so I am focusing on something I love to talk about ... affordable housing and health outcomes.  Here's half of the quick and dirty from a 2011 article published by The Center for Housing Policy. 

• Affordable housing frees up income for healthy food and health related expenses
• Children are more likely to hit "well child" markers (weights, health, development levels) when their families receive housing subsidies
• Adults not in affordable housing are more likely to state theri health is "fair or poor"
• Those whose houses are in foreclosure are less likely to purchase/take their prescriptions

• Stable housing is inversely proportional to stress and poor health outcomes
•  Kids who live in unstable housing are more likely to have developmental delays and increased mental health problems
• Stable housing decreases adult hospitalizations and increases mental health markers
• Living doubled up or in foreclosure is related to increased stress and depression

• Well constructed and maintained homes limit a person's exposure to neurotoxins and allergies
• Poor environments and old houses are related to increased accidential injury, asthma and lead poisoning
• Cockroaches, dustmites and mold are related to increased prevalence of asthma and respiratory problems
• While replacing carpets and windows and getting rid of pests is more expensive, it will save individuals and families money in the long run

• Affordable housing may improve chronic health conditions
• Homelessness prevents people from storing their medications/supplies properly, keep appointments and follow special diets
• Individuals without stable housing may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors, especially if they have a history of drug and alcohol abuse

Want to read more?  Head on over to the original article at The Center for Housing Policy.   

Have limited time on your hands?  Come back next week for the other half of the article.

Happy Monday

Bike Gears in a New Light

Happy Monday folks!  In the months years which followed my first Bike and Build trip, my eye has been keenly tuned to cool bike facts, tours and every day items made out of bicycle parts.  While the Drift West tour is mainly about raising money and awareness about the affordable housing cause, it is just as important to celebrate the wild and crazy times we have on the road.  In that spirit, I will start to share some of the more creative bike creations I come across like this chandelier made from bike gears. 

Friday Facts and Stats: US Veterans

First, let's take a quick look at the homeless US Veteran population:

• HUD esimates on any night between 130,000 and 200,000 veterans are homeless
• 92% of homeless vets are male;  there are an additional 1/4 million vets who are at risk of homelessness
• The majority suffer from alcohol/substance abuse/mental illness
• Homeless veterans are on average younger than the overall veteran population; nine percent are between the ages of 18 and 30, and 41% are between the ages of 31 and 50
• Nearly half of homeless vets served during the Vietnam War era

And here are a couple of numbers (because that is the point of statistics):

• 23% of homeless population are veterans 
• 67% served three or more years 
• 33% stationed in war zone 
• 25% have used VA Homeless Services 8
• 5% completed high school/GED, compared to 56% of non-veterans 
• 89% received Honorable Discharge 
• 79% reside in central cities 
• 76% experience alcohol, drug, or mental health problems

Why are Veterans homeless?

• There is a shortage of affordable housing and livable incomes
• It is hard for individuals to access health care; many need services to help with PTSD and substance abuse
• Military training and jobs do not necessarily prepare vets for civilian jobs 

Programs to help Veterans get affordable housing:

• HUD-VASH Vouchers: These vouchers are based on geography, need and how well the public housing agency is performing.  Some vets can learn about these services at VA medical centers and community based clinics
• Veteran run affordable housing programs
• Rental assistance programs 

Want to learn more?  Check out the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and the National Coalition for the Homeless (that's where I got all of the above information).

Facts and Stats: Spent

I would assume that most people reading this have a roof over their heads, a few bucks in the bank and some kind of stable employment.  That's what might make it so hard to put ourselves in the shoes of someone who is unemployed or trying to survive on a minimum wage budget.

In 2011, the Urban Ministries of Durham paired with McKinney to create an online game revolving around homelessness and poverty.  During the ten minute game, players are forced to make "real world" decisions and frequently have to choose between doing what is right and making sure you have enough money at the end of the day to survive. 

Since its creation, the game has been played more than 4 million times.  Do you think you can  survive in this virtual world, live on $1000 and save a little for those unexpected costs?  Head over to their webpage and try it out for yourself.