Education and housing are deeply connected, but decisions made in these sectors are often separate. Meghan Gallagher, a principal research associate at the Urban Institute, focuses on collaborations between housing and education to improve students’ academic success. She emphasizes the importance of key housing characteristics like quality, affordability, stability, neighborhood quality, and wealth-building in impacting children’s educational outcomes.
Research has shown that housing conditions such as mold, electrical issues, excessive rent burden, instability, and neighborhood violence can significantly affect children’s well-being and academic performance. However, there is still a need for more evidence to determine which housing factors have the most influence on educational outcomes and how they interact with each other.
The lack of comprehensive research in this area is partly due to the disconnect between housing and education policy. Data collection efforts by organizations like HUD and the Department of Education have not always captured the necessary information to understand the relationship between housing and academic success. Local level collaboration and data sharing can help to address these gaps and tailor programs to support children’s education and housing needs.
To ensure academic success for all children, collaboration and coordination between federal agencies like the Department of Ed and HUD are essential. Local organizations, philanthropic efforts, and a focus on housing production are also key to creating policies that consider the impact of housing on educational outcomes. By integrating housing and education initiatives at various levels, we can work towards providing all children with the opportunity to thrive in stable, high-quality housing environments conducive to learning.