Severe housing and neighborhood inequities of households with disabled members and households in need of long-term services and supports

Abstract A growing body of research underscores housing security as a critical determinant of healthy community living. Another body of research finds that households with people with disability are more likely to live in poor-quality housing and neighborhoods, challenging their ability for community engagement and healthy living. In this paper we focus on housing security indicators for two groups, households with a disabled member and households with a disabled member in need of long-term services and supports (LTSS). Our empirical goals are twofold: 1) Extend existing research on disparities in housing security for households with a disabled member compared to non-disability households overall, and 2) Compare housing security among LTSS disability, non-LTSS disability, and non-disability households. Using 2017 American Housing Survey data, we measure housing security in three areas: housing quality, neighborhood quality, and housing affordability. Weighted descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regressions show that households with members with disabilities overall and LTSS disability households specifically consistently have the worst housing outcomes. Despite concerted efforts and federal law, LTSS disability households continue to live in poorer-quality housing and neighborhoods than non-LTSS disability households. Addressing these housing inequities is critical to enable people with disabilities to live healthier and community-integrated lives.