Beyond shelter: a scoping review of evidence on housing in resettlement countries and refugee mental health and wellbeing.

Abstract

Purpose: The number of displaced people globally has rapidly increased in the past decade. Housing is an important social determinant of health and a key contributor to poor health outcomes in refugee and asylum seeker populations. It is important to examine evidence for how housing impacts the mental health of refugees and asylum seekers. This review seeks to analyse the research describing how housing conditions and policies are associated with refugee mental health and wellbeing in high-income resettlement countries (such as the United States, Canada, and Australia).

Methods: A scoping review identified forty-four relevant studies. These studies examined various aspects of housing and/or accommodation and their association with mental health and wellbeing in resettled refugee populations.

Results: We found evidence of a relationship between four domains of housing-policy, suitability, environment and time-and mental health. Furthermore, we found evidence that refugees settling in high income countries experienced significant housing issues. Overall, problems with housing quality, location, accessibility (i.e., the nature of systems that govern access to housing) and suitability were associated with poorer mental health outcomes.

Conclusions: In high-income countries, the lack of choice and agency regarding housing contributed to poor mental health outcomes among refugees and asylum seekers. Policies and practices should prioritise the quality, suitability, and accessibility of refugee housing, look at ways to increase choice and agency in resettlement.