West LA Times

A new study from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research indicates that Californians experiencing housing insecurity face significantly higher rates of psychological distress. The research, based on data from the 2022 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), reveals that nearly half (45%) of individuals who described their housing as unstable reported experiencing psychological distress in the past year.

The survey data also highlights a disparity in mental health care utilization, with only 22% of adults with unstable housing accessing mental health services. The study further identifies racial and ethnic disparities in housing insecurity, noting that Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (62%) and Latinx (51%) adults frequently worried about paying rent or mortgage at higher rates than the overall adult population (41%).

Sean Tan, a senior public administration analyst at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and one of the study’s authors, stated, “Our study reinforces what research has demonstrated for years: Access to affordable housing affects a person’s health. It also spotlights the critical need for more affordable housing in California.”

The report attributes some of these challenges to historical racial discrimination and segregation practices such as redlining, which have led to unequal access to housing opportunities and inequitable health outcomes, particularly among African Americans and people of color.

California's high cost of living exacerbates these issues. Data from CHIS shows that about 10% of adults had difficulty paying their rent or mortgage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, three-quarters of adults burdened by housing costs are renters.

Key findings from the report include:

- 49% of adults aged 18–29 frequently worried about paying their rent or mortgage compared with 22% of adults aged 65 and older.

- 53% of households with incomes less than twice the federal poverty level frequently worried about paying their rent or mortgage compared with 31% of households earning at least four times the poverty level.

- Nearly twice as many noncitizens experienced housing instability compared with U.S. citizens (30% versus 16%).

Joelle Wolstein, another author and CHPR research scientist, commented on these disparities: “Housing is the largest regular expense for most people, so it follows that those with lower wages and fewer assets would have more unstable housing and worry more about paying their bills. However, the effects of this disparity ripple beyond people’s financial health.”

The report recommends several measures for California:

1. Invest in programs that create or preserve affordable housing opportunities.

2. Connect mental health services with housing resources through integrative care models.

3. Enact inclusive housing assistance policies by eliminating citizenship requirements in public housing and rental assistance programs.

“We know lawmakers faced difficult budgeting decisions this year,” Tan said. “But this study shows the importance of investing in programs that stabilize and make housing affordable, which is a crucial factor for good mental health.”