New site provides recent research and news on the importance of affordable housing

As a Realtor®, you know how important it is to find your clients a quality home that is in their budget.

A new website is here to give you the statistics to support just how crucial it is.

The recently-launched online resource How Housing Matters presents up-to-date research and information on how a “quality, affordable home can contribute to tangible benefits in educational performance, economic stability and public health,” according to their press release.

Launched by the Urban Land Institute (ULI), with the support of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the site offers the latest news and research on housing, and how proper housing leads to better educational opportunities, stronger foundations and economic stability.

Investing more than $25 million into research projects, the MacArthur Foundation predicts the research will produce findings through 2017.

This body of work, as well as research funded by others, is showing that housing has value beyond the provision of shelter: it improves school performance, diminishes health problems for both children and adults and decreases psychological stress – among other benefits, according to the press release.

“How Housing Matters offers a lot of clear evidence about the importance of housing. A Realtor® searching the site can find great statistics to use, like why neighborhoods matter,” said Maya Brennan, vice president of Housing ULI Terwilliger Center for Housing.

“We are really excited to connect a lot of this research with real stories of real communities,” added Brennan.

On the site, you can specifically search for research regarding housing’s impact on economy, education, health, people and neighborhoods (or communities). For example, did you know that 60 percent of a family’s income is spent on goods and services from local businesses?

“Housing is at the core of how we tackle some of the most important issues we face as a society – how we ensure our children thrive and learn, and our elderly age with the dignity and care they deserve,” said MacArthur President Julia Stasch in the press release. “The How Housing Matters web portal will be a resource for advocates, experts, policymakers and the press as they share knowledge and engage around innovative practices that lead to improved housing, health, education, and economic opportunities for all Americans.”