Here at Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County we are often asked what ways homeownership benefits children. Many studies have been conducted concerning the impact of homeownership on children, including the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University which concluded that children of homeowners have better home environments,
higher cognitive skills, and fewer behavior problems than children of renters.
The study's results are fascinating. The impact of homeownership on children:
- 23% improvement in cognitive stimulation.
- 17% improvement in reading scores.
- 9% improvement in math scores.
- Lower dropout rates in school.
- Less chance of having a baby before 18.
- More likely to become homeowners themselves.
- Lower incidence of respiratory problems.
Children of homeowners had a 13%–23%
higher quality of home environment when compared to children of renters; 9% higher math scores, 7% higher reading scores, and a reduction in children’s behavior problems
of up to 3%.
For more information, please read The Impact of Homeownership on Child Outcomes by Donald R.
Haurin, Toby L.
Parcel, and R. Jean
Haurin.
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| Five kids living in Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County homes. |
