Like Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) nationwide, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) struggles to preserve its portfolio of 14,000 public housing units despite shrinking federal resources for both maintenance and capital investment. The BHA has a $600 million backlog of repairs to address with a $25 million annual capital budget. How can this investment leverage the most benefits from a resident health perspective? How should investments to improve energy efficiency and other building conditions be scrutinized to ensure a positive health impact? How can the worlds of public housing funders and health funders be better integrated to allow for a more health-centered approach to the operation of public housing? The BHA has participated in a number of initiatives in order to explore this intersection of health and housing, first through two pilot studies with residents at the West Broadway and Franklin Hill developments, and subsequently through a larger initiative spearheaded by the three Boston schools of public health (Tufts, BU and Harvard), the Boston Public Health Commission and the Committee for Boston Public Housing. This Healthy Public Housing study will focus on four family and one elderly BHA development, exploring a broad range of health issues, interventions and outcomes. A component of this study will include an evaluation of new townhouse housing which the BHA has developed through the Hope VI program to replace some of its most dilapidated housing at Orchard Gardens and Mission Main.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Housing, Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.