Aligning Housing and Education: Evidence of Promising Practices and Structural Challenges

Research Rundown Issue: September '20
Publisher: Urban Institute
Date Published: September '20

Description

This brief explores the link between housing and education, summarizing the literature, and highlighting promising practices. The research has found that when housing is safe, high-quality, stable, affordable, and located in a well-resourced neighborhood—known as the “housing bundle”—children tend to do better in school and parents have improved mental health. The brief highlights the impact of programs and partnerships dedicated to stabilized housing around the country—including Minnesota’s Homework Starts—on students and families. Recommendations for strengthening these partnerships include:

• Leveraging multifamily housing—like apartment communities—as partners for educational supports;
• Pursuing joint success measures and aligned decision making; and
• Housing and education advocates work together to seek policy changes.

Why This Matters in Minnesota

Recent data shows that 29% of Minnesota’s rental households are at risk of eviction. And while Minneapolis and St. Paul have both launched programs to help low-income families with housing-related expenses like rent, these programs are maxed out and inaccessible to some families. Bringing education and housing advocates to the same table could ensure stronger program design and more comprehensive policy solutions.