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• Income disparities are wide. Experts emphasized that those with lower incomes have dramatically fewer housing choices and limited residential mobility. When individuals with low incomes "nd themselves in unhealthy housing conditions, they generally lack the means to move and "nd better housing. Landlords are aware of these constraints and therefore have little incentive to improve conditions. #is leaves low-income groups with few options and little leverage to improve their housing conditions. • Immigration status compounds the problem. Experts highlighted undocumented immigrants as a particularly vulnerable group. #ose without proper documentation status typically face substandard living conditions, and because they are unable to register official complaints, they have even less recourse than most. • Housing is segregated. Experts stressed racial and economic segregation as an ongoing problem. Despite the fact that explicit policies like redlining are no longer in practice, the same patterns of racial and economic segregation still plague neighborhoods and cities. Racial and economic segregation further limits mobility and access to services. How Does Housing Affect Health? • Housing is a core determinant of health. Experts explained that housing affects health in critical ways and through multiple pathways. #e characteristics of both homes and neighborhoods in$uence physical health, mental health, community life, social engagement, stress, satisfaction, happiness, and self-esteem; and they do so in complex ways through a variety of mechanisms. • Toxins are still a problem. While toxins in the home are the most familiar and well-known aspect of healthy housing, experts explained that toxins remain a serious problem, o%en because their effects are invisible. Experts frequently cited the dangers of lead, radon, and carbon monoxide, but also highlighted the toxic effects of mold, poor air quality, and poor water quality. Experts explained that toxins are o%en the root cause of health issues, the symptoms of which are treated only super"cially by the healthcare system. • Local infrastructure is a key determinant of health. When discussing health effects, experts highlighted community-level factors as underappreciated determinants of health. Whether a home is located in an urban, suburban, or rural area, local infrastructure has major effects on health and well-being. People's opportunities to exercise and eat well are shaped by neighborhood walkability and access to healthy food options, and the location of healthcare resources shapes the accessibility of healthcare. Transportation infrastructure helps to determine access to good jobs, and the ability to get and maintain a good job has a profound impact on people's health and well-being for many reasons. Moreover, the infrastructure of neighborhoods and communities can facilitate or inhibit social connection or isolation, which affects mental health and well-being. "A House, a Tent, a Box": Mapping the Gaps Between Expert and Public Understanding of Healthy Housing 13

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