Housing insecurity, mostly marked by the inability to pay rent or the threat of eviction, not only directly disrupts stability, but also leaves a lasting imprint on both economic and health outcomes, particularly for young adults. A study by Mary K. Roberts (Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science, University of Oxford), Aarti C. Bhat (The Pennsylvania State University) and Andrew Fenelon (University of Minnesota) examines the long-term consequences of housing instability experienced between the ages of 18 and 26. Concretely, the authors look at the effects on financial hardship, mental health, and physiological stress an average of 15 years later.
Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health, USA), the researchers compared a group of people who faced precariousness in housing during early adulthood with a well-matched control group. The results show a consistent pattern: those who faced housing instability were significantly more likely to struggle with financial hardship and depression in their 30s and 40s.
In addition, the study introduces a biological element that measures "allostatic load," a measure of chronic stress covering cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune systems. While overall health implications varied, women showed a significant increase in allostatic load over time, suggesting greater physiological vulnerability.
Evidently, housing insecurity isn't just a symptom of economic hardship, it actively reinforces it. People who struggle with stable housing in young adulthood are at higher risk for financial distress and poorer health, creating a cycle of disadvantage that worsens over time. Women in particular bear a disproportionate burden, which may be linked to caregiving responsibilities and gendered economic disparities.
This research highlights the need for policy interventions that go beyond immediate housing assistance. Potential long-term solutions, such as rental assistance, affordable housing initiatives, and mental health services, could reduce the chain effects of early housing instability. Addressing this issue is fundamental to providing affordable housing and is a critical public health concern.
Senior lead author Mary K. Roberts says: "Our findings underscore the long-term negative impacts of housing insecurity on health and material hardship. They highlight the urgent need to translate this evidence into actionable strategies to reduce housing insecurity, lessen its harmful health effects, and break the cycle of disadvantage it perpetuates."