INVESTING IN COMMUNITIES

The Roadmap is working with researchers to explore how a recapitalized public housing portfolio can improve health outcomes, increase educational attainment, and develop a stronger workforce. 

The nation’s public housing portfolio is an essential component of the affordable housing supply, serving a million low-income households. Seniors and people with disabilities comprise half of the households. Families with children comprise the other half. Most households are extremely low-income, averaging annual income of roughly $15,000 per year or thirty percent of median household income. Evidence shows that these families are often at much higher risk of environmental, health, education, and income disparities.  

The modernization of public housing is not simply a capital investment—it is an opportunity to rebuild the social infrastructure that helps families thrive. PHAs are embracing cross-sector strategies that integrate public housing with healthcare, education, workforce development, and other critical services. These efforts reflect a broader shift toward place-based, person-centered models that treat housing as a gateway to opportunity rather than an endpoint. 

While public housing has long served as a critical source of stability for low-income households, emerging research and practitioner experiences suggest it may also contribute to improved health outcomes, educational attainment, and economic mobility. Recapitalizing the public housing portfolio with updated infrastructure, better design, and enhanced energy efficiency has the potential to increase these benefits.  

Photo Credit: Seattle Housing Authority