The
importance
of

housing
as
a
social
driver
of
health
cannot
be
overstated,
yet
the
intricate
pathways
connecting
housing
conditions
to
health
outcomes
remain
inadequately
understood.
This
knowledge
gap
is
particularly
impactful
for

low-income
families
who
face
unique
challenges
in
establishing
a
sense
of
home.

My
experience
as
a
pediatrician
at
WakeMed
has
shown
me
firsthand
how
critical
stable,
and
quality

housing
is
to
the
health
and
well-being
of
children
and
their
families.
Over
the
years,
I
have
encountered
numerous
cases
where
substandard
housing
has
exacerbated
health
conditions,
from
respiratory
issues
due
to
mold
to
stress-related
ailments
stemming
from
insecure
housing.
These
observations
fueled
my
commitment
to
developing
“Beyond
Our
Walls,”
WakeMed’s
health
equity
curriculum,
which
explores
how
issues
like
housing
are
pivotal
factors
in

public
health.

Our
work
has
revealed
that
property
quality
and
even
neighborhood

location
result
from
historical
local
and
federal
policies
that
segregated
and
marginalized
communities
with
intention
and
continue
to
impact
the
health
and
well-being
of
minoritized
communities
today
significantly.
That
is
why
we
must
address
the
physical,
psychosocial,
and
historical
aspects
of
housing
in
public
health
interventions.

In
Wake
County,
North
Carolina,
where
I
practice,

one-quarter
of
residents
are
housing
cost-burdened,
meaning
they
spend
more
than
one-third
of
household
income
on
housing.
Approximately
56,000
working
families
who
make
less
than
$39,000
a
year
in
Wake
County
are
currently
unable
to
find
affordable
housing.

The

Raleigh
Area
Land
Trust
(RALT)
is
working
to
serve
as
a
solution
for
needy
families
by
mitigating
housing
instability
and
promoting
health
equity.
As
a
community
land
trust,
RALT
ensures
place-based,
permanent
housing
affordability.
The
non-profit
allows
the
community
to
retain
ownership
of
the
land.
At
the
same
time,
the
resident
purchases
the
home
at
an
affordable
rate,
providing
a
stable
foundation
that
fosters
health
and
economic
security.

As
a
board
member
of
RALT,
I
am
proud
that
we
can
provide
an
innovative
path
to
homeownership.
In
addition
to
affordability,
community
land
trusts
prioritize
community
engagement
and
stewardship.
Through
resident-led
governance
structures,
RALT
ensures
that
community
members
have
a
voice
in
decision-making
processes
related
to
land
use
and
development.
This
collaborative
approach
fosters
a
sense
of
ownership
and
pride
among
residents,
leading
to
vibrant
and
resilient
neighborhoods.

Moreover,
community
land
trusts
are
crucial
in
preserving
housing
affordability
amidst
rapidly
changing
real
estate
markets.
By
removing
land
from
the
speculative
market,
RALT
prevents
gentrification
and
displacement,
preserving
the
socioeconomic
diversity
of
neighborhoods
and
promoting
inclusive
growth.
This
proactive
approach
to
housing
development
creates
thriving
communities
where
residents
of
all
backgrounds
can
access
safe,
stable,
and
affordable
housing
options.

As
we
look
to
the
future,
expanding
community
land
trusts
holds
tremendous
potential
for
addressing
systemic
inequities
in
housing
and
promoting
health
and
well-being
for
all.
By
advocating
for
supportive
policies
and
increasing
investment
in
community-led
housing
solutions,
we
can
create
a
more
equitable
and
sustainable
housing
landscape
where
everyone
has
the
opportunity
to
thrive.

This
column
does
not
necessarily
reflect
the
opinion
of
HousingWire’s
editorial
department
and
its
owners.

To
contact
the
editor
responsible
for
this
piece:



[email protected]

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