The Value of Housing in the Community

Sep 3, 2021

Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority’s primary purpose is to maintain quality affordable housing for our community members. 

Through our programs and services, we also provide outreach to connect people with that housing, foster a sense of belonging within our communities, and support the overall wellbeing of tenants and homeowners to ensure continued financial stability. 

Importance of Affordable Housing

How does affordable housing impact individuals and communities? Access to affordable housing makes a significant difference in a person’s quality of life. At Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority, we believe every person deserves to have a comfortable home. 

When members of our community are worried about paying rent or maintaining stable housing, the whole community suffers. 

In this post, we’ll explore the ways access to affordable housing benefits individuals, families, and communities as a whole.

Impact on Individuals and Families

Affordable housing helps individuals and families live happier, healthier lives. 

Education

Children in stable housing do better in school for a number of reasons. First of all, frequent moves can disrupt education, causing the child to fall behind educationally and socially. Unstable housing can also cause emotional distress, which has a negative effect on a child’s ability to learn and do well in school.

Physical and Mental Health

Having a quality, stable place to live has positive effects on health as well. Community care housing help also allows families to have more room in their budgets for healthcare and food. Studies show that children whose parents receive housing assistance eat more nutritious food regularly. 

Of course, having a consistent, decent place to call home also reduces stress. The negative mental health effects of housing insecurity should not be overlooked. Fears of foreclosure and eviction can cause major mental health problems for adults and children in families facing housing insecurity.

Community Benefits

Affordable housing isn’t just beneficial for the individuals who receive housing assistance. Entire communities benefit when housing is affordable for all. 

Workforce Development

Communities with affordable homes are more attractive to potential employees. Attracting and retaining quality employees is essential to the economic vitality of a region, and an advantage for local employers.

Economic Growth

Affordable housing stimulates economic growth through construction projects and new businesses surrounding the homes. 

In addition, when a community offers a wide variety of housing options at varying price points, it makes sure all community members, no matter their economic background, have the opportunity to improve their financial wellbeing. 

Quality of Life

Finally, affordable housing improves the overall quality of life in a community. Affordable homes support the entire workforce by shortening commutes, resulting in more family time, better air quality, and less traffic congestion on roads. 

In Portage County, PMHA provides programming for improved quality of life, like farmers markets, winter clothing drives, and WiFi hotspot lending. 

Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority Can Help

Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority in Ohio is committed to creating and maintaining affordable housing for Portage County residents, as well as connecting members of the community with the services they need to be financially stable.

In 2020, PMHA assisted over 300 Public Housing units, over 1,700 Section 8 units, and over 20 Market Rent units. Over 200 households interacted with PMHA’s Social Services Coordinator for assistance.

As well as connecting community members with affordable housing, PMHA also works to ensure that housing is well maintained. In 2020, over 2,000 inspections were performed to make sure affordable housing units were up to standards and codes.

Looking for community care housing help in Portage County? PMHA is here to help. Please contact us with any and all questions you might have, and we’ll work hard to get you the help you need.

Contact PMHA

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PMHA welcomes your questions, comments and requests.

2832 State Route 59
Ravenna, OH 44266
(330) 297-1489

info@portagehousing.org