7. Housing Quality: Continuous vs. Binary. Experts emphasize that housing quality is a continuum
and consider a wide range of aspects of housing quality across a wide range of housing types. #e
public, on the other hand, tends to think about housing quality in binary terms—one either has
quality housing, or does not. As long as housing provides the basics, it is considered an acceptable
place to "lay one's head." Whereas the public perspective reduces complexity, the expert
perspective opens space to think about the manifold ways in which housing can harm or promote
health outcomes.
8. Overall Orientation: Pragmatic vs. Fatalistic. Experts assert that there are speci"c, practical
steps we can take to improve housing conditions. In short, with the right policies and programs,
we can create healthier, better housing. #e public, on the other hand, approaches housing issues
with a heavy dose of fatalism and is highly skeptical about the potential for meaningful change.
9. Poverty and Homelessness: Cascading Effects vs. Mentalism. Experts view poverty, housing, and
poor health as interconnected. Experts explain deteriorating housing conditions, poverty, and
poor health as a bundle of cascading effects, as problems in one area lead to problems in others,
producing a spiral of effects that are beyond individual control. #e public, on the other hand,
recruits the Mentalism cultural model to reason that people need more willpower to pull
themselves out of challenging situations like poverty, unemployment, and homelessness and need
to make the "choice" to seek employment and secure good housing.
10. Government Solutions: Support vs. Ambivalence. Experts see government policy interventions
aimed at structures and systems as the most effective way to solve housing problems. #e public, on
the other hand, draws on multiple and con$icting models of government to think about solutions.
#e public can acknowledge that government has some responsibility for improving housing
conditions and, in particular, has a regulatory role to play in the rental market, yet also views
government as corrupt and government intervention as inefficient, ineffective, and in some cases
even counterproductive.
"A House, a Tent, a Box": Mapping the Gaps Between Expert and Public Understanding of Healthy Housing 32
