Rising Rents and Evictions Linked to Premature Death

“Higher levels of rent burden were associated with significantly higher levels of death... Paying a smaller share of income toward rent—or seeing that share drop over time—reduces your risk of dying.”

Housing is healthcare. The U.S. Department of health lists housing as the most influential social determinant of health. Social determinants of health are “…the economic and social conditions that influence individual and group differences in health status. They are the health promoting factors found in one's living and working conditions, rather than individual risk factors that influence the risk or vulnerability for a disease or injury.” Key here is these are beyond individual risk factors.

This new report from Eviction Lab shows the direct link between rising rent and evictions to premature death. Premature death. “In a study published in the journal Social Science and Medicine, we show that the high cost of housing increases American renters’ risk of death.”

“Why might rent burden or eviction affect someone’s health? As rents rise, families cut back on other spending, including on essentials for health and well-being. For example, poor households with children who are moderately rent-burdened (devoting 30-50% of income to rent) spend 57% less on healthcare and 17% less on food compared to unburdened households. At least in part, households prioritize paying rent over other essential spending out of fear that non-payment could lead to an eviction.”

“Higher levels of rent burden were associated with significantly higher levels of death... Paying a smaller share of income toward rent—or seeing that share drop over time—reduces your risk of dying.”