LITERATURE REVIEW
If you have not already done so, view the Reviewing the Literature page on Campus to learn about writing a literature review. Additional resources are provided in this week’s What You Need to Know.
Prepare a literature review of at least 7 peer-reviewed, scholarly sources, synthesizing the research you have identified related to the topic you selected in Week 3. Your literature review should present a thorough picture of what is known about your chosen topic.
In your literature review:
Describe the topic you are exploring.
Synthesize what the literature has to say about the topic.
Synthesize what the literature has to say about the way community systems and policy impact family dynamics.
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Impact of Affordable Housing Policies on Family Stability and Wellbeing
Jorge Cabrera Mercedes
Capella University
The Family in Social Context
05/04/2023
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Impact of Affordable Housing Policies on Family Stability and Wellbeing
Part 1
Affordable housing policies impact young-child families, low-income and single-parent
families in various ways. The policies say everyone should have safe, affordable housing. Thus,
rent control, low-income housing subsidies, and property owner incentives can provide
affordable housing by executing the policies mentioned above. Besides, cheap housing helps
families satisfy their requirements and stay stable. It influences better parent-child interactions,
less stress and anxiety, and improved family dynamics. Families may experience difficulty
establishing stable living arrangements when affordable housing is limited (Marcal, 2022).
Therefore, they may be forced to choose between rent, food, and healthcare, which could make
families crowded, raising tension and conflict in the home if circumstances force families always
to prioritize specific things. Family dynamics and general wellbeing may suffer significantly if
families become homeless (Marcal, 2022). Policies promoting affordable housing may
particularly harm some groups of people. For instance, families with modest incomes may need
help to locate inexpensive housing near top-notch schools and other amenities crucial for their
children’s wellbeing. Single-parent households with one income, Immigrants, racial and ethnic
minorities, and those with impairments may also have trouble finding affordable housing.
The correlation between affordable housing policies and family stability and wellbeing is
intricately linked to community systems, policy, and family dynamics. Community systems are
crucial to affordable housing policy. Entities like local government agencies, non-profit
organizations, and community development corporations are frequently responsible for
formulating and implementing policies that guarantee access to secure and reasonably priced
housing (Walsh, 2019). The accessibility and caliber of reasonably priced housing within a
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locality can affect the general welfare of its inhabitants, encompassing households. Hence,
community systems must collaborate and ensure that affordable housing policies are efficiently
executed and sufficiently financed to cater to the requirements of all homes.
Affordable housing policies guarantee that households can access secure and reasonably
priced housing. Rent regulation, low-income housing subsidies, and developer incentives for
affordable housing can be used to address the issue of inexpensive accommodation. The efficacy
of said policies in bolstering familial stability and welfare is contingent upon their structure,
execution, and financial backing. Therefore, policies that prioritize the needs of families and
allocate adequate resources can assist in maintaining stable living situations and mitigating stress
and anxiety associated with housing insecurity.
The stability of family dynamics heavily relies on having access to affordable housing.
Families residing in secure and reasonably priced housing are more capable of fulfilling their
fundamental necessities, thereby mitigating stress and anxiety levels within the household. Stable
families have more excellent parent-child interactions, mental health, and wellbeing because they
can access affordable housing without difficulties (Marçal et al., 2023). Conversely, households
facing housing insecurity may encounter problems upholding favorable familial relationships,
resulting in heightened tension and discord within the home.
Family science literature highlights the importance of affordable housing for family
wellbeing; hence, this influenced the selection of the “Impact of Affordable Housing Policies on
Family Stability and Wellbeing” as the topic. According to family science studies, housing
insecurity can harm family health, wellbeing, and quality of life (Perrin et al., 2020). Research
has shown a correlation between housing insecurity and negative impacts on mental health,
heightened stress and anxiety levels, and potential physical health complications. Moreover,
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studies have indicated that youngsters who encounter housing insecurity may exhibit reduced
academic performance and increased incidence of behavioral issues. Besides, the literature on
family science demonstrates that the availability of secure and reasonably priced housing is
crucial in upholding consistent family dynamics. Housing insecurity may result in recurrent
relocations, overpopulation, or deprivation, leading to substantial tension and discord within the
domicile. Conversely, consistent housing arrangements have the potential to foster favorable
parent-offspring connections, diminish anxiety and unease, and enhance the general welfare of
the family unit (Walsh, 2019). The existing literature on family science emphasizes the crucial
significance of community systems and policy in tackling affordable housing concerns and
guaranteeing that families can obtain secure and consistent housing. Therefore, the decision to
select this subject matter is to investigate the correlation among economic housing regulations,
communal structures, household dynamics, and their influence on the welfare of families.
Part 2
Yousefi-Rizi, L., Baek, J. D., Blumenfeld, N., & Stoskopf, C. (2021). Impact of housing
instability and social risk factors on food insecurity among vulnerable residents in San
Diego County. Journal of Community Health, 46(6), 1107-1114.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10900-021-00999-w
Yousefi-Rizi et al. (2021) examine how housing instability and social risk variables affect
San Diego County’s vulnerable population’s food insecurity. The authors examined the
research topic cross-sectionally, analyzing the 2018 California Health Interview Survey
(CHIS) data. CHIS data was used to sample 3,824 San Diego County individuals. They
used data analysis to find possible links between housing instability, social risk factors,
and food insecurity. The study found that housing instability, including homelessness in
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the past year, is linked to food insecurity. The researchers also found that poor education,
unemployment, disability, and being a racial or ethnic minority increased food insecurity.
The authors’ findings suggest more research into food insecurity’s socioeconomic causes.
San Diego County and other areas need food insecurity measures. The authors suggest
studying how housing instability and social risk factors affect food insecurity. I wondered
if other variables were investigated to explain the housing instability-food insecurity link.
This question may be helpful for future research on the topic as it will direct me to
explore everything that authors might have left out.
Swope, C. B., & Hernández, D. (2019). Housing as a determinant of health equity: A conceptual
model. Social Science & Medicine, 243, 112571.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112571
A conceptual model by Swope and Hernández (2019) examines housing and health
equity. The study used keyword searches and snowballing to conduct a systematic
literature review. The GRADE system and other methods were utilized to evaluate the
included studies. The study found that housing and various structural, environmental, and
individual factors affect health equity. The authors recommend studying these factors’
interactions and their effects on health policy and practice. The paper asks how housing
and health equity interact to affect health outcomes and how housing can promote health
equity. The article also suggests that further research should examine the effects of
housing on health equity in different contexts and the impact of varying housing policies
and interventions. The study can be essential in my research as it offers a direction to take
when considering how affordable housing can be linked with stability and wellbeing.
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Pilkauskas, N., & Michelmore, K. (2019). The effect of the earned income tax credit on housing
and living arrangements. Demography, 56(4), 1303-1326.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13524-019-00791-5
The authors used quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative approach used
SIPP data, whereas the qualitative approach used EITC beneficiary interviews. The
EITC’s effects on housing and residential arrangements were examined using several
models. The study found that the EITC affects single-parent households’ housing and
living arrangements. Besides, the EITC increases property ownership and decreases
government-subsidized housing, the study showed. The report suggests EITC research on
marital status, labor force participation, and incomes. The report additionally proposes
studying how the EITC affects housing and living arrangements in conjunction with other
social policies. After reading the article, I wondered how the EITC could affect singleparent and two-parent households. What is the EITC’s long-term effect on housing? Does
the EITC’s impact vary by state? EITC effects on housing and living arrangements are
poorly studied, representing the research gap. The study can be helpful in my research as
it would push me to explore how social policies such as earned income tax credits affect
affordable housing.
Berger, L. M., & Carlson, M. J. (2020). Family policy and complex contemporary families: A
decade in review and implications for the next decade of research and policy
practice. Journal of Marriage and Family, 82(1), 478507.https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12650
The article comprehensively analyzes family policy and intricate modern families during
the last ten years. Additionally, it suggests potential outcomes for research and policy
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implementation in the upcoming decade. The researchers utilized a qualitative
methodology to scrutinize various data sources, including policy reports, research
documents, and other published works. The authors conducted semi-structured interviews
with policy and research experts to understand the matter. The study’s primary
discoveries indicate that family policies are subject to the sway of political, economic,
and social factors and that family configurations are in a perpetual state of flux. The
authors have also pinpointed research gaps, specifically the need for more comprehensive
data on the effects of family policies on various family structures. They have also
proposed potential areas for future research and policy implementation. My research
inquiries involve how to guarantee the pertinence of family policies to all family
structures and promote a more comprehensive outlook toward family policy.
Furthermore, this article will be relevant to my research as it will help determine how to
effectively utilize policy and analysis to assist families with diverse and intersecting
identities, including those who identify as LGBTQ+.
Cavanagh, S. E., & Fomby, P. (2019). Family instability in the lives of American
children. Annual Review of Sociology, 45, 493-513.
https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-soc-073018-022633
Cavanagh and Fomby (2019) examine family instability and its effects on American
children. The Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a longitudinal dataset of
almost 5,000 US children aged 0-9, was used for quantitative analysis. The primary
caregivers were asked about family instability at birth, three, and five years old. The
study also investigated family makeup, finances, and household climate. According to the
study findings, familial instability raises a child’s risk of developing behavioral,
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cognitive, and academic issues. Family structure, income, and environment were also
linked to family instability. The study suggests studying how family instability affects
children’s results in many circumstances, such as family structure, income, and
environment. Further research is needed to determine how family instability affects
children of different ages. The article raised questions. What else causes family
instability? Can unstable households be helped? The consequences of family instability
on children at various stages of development and how gender, ethnicity, and race alter
those effects are all topics I am interested in exploring. This research will help me in
forming the thesis for my study.
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References
Berger, L. M., & Carlson, M. J. (2020). Family policy and complex contemporary families: A
decade in review and implications for the next decade of research and policy
practice. Journal of Marriage and Family, 82(1), 478507.https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12650
Cavanagh, S. E., & Fomby, P. (2019). Family instability in the lives of American
children. Annual Review of Sociology, 45, 493-513.
https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-soc-073018-022633
Marcal, K. E. (2022). Domains of housing insecurity: associations with child maltreatment
risk. Child Abuse & Neglect, 131, 105696. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105696
Marçal, K. E., Bosetti, R., & Barr, N. (2023). Housing insecurity and adolescent behavioral
outcomes: The mediating role of aggression in parenting. Child Abuse & Neglect, 137,
106039. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106039
Perrin, J. M., Duncan, G., Diaz, A., & Kelleher, K. (2020). Principles And Policies To
Strengthen Child And Adolescent Health And Well-Being: Study describes National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reports on poverty, mental,
emotional, and behavioral health, adolescence, and young family health and
education. Health Affairs, 39(10), 1677-1683.
https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00709
Pilkauskas, N., & Michelmore, K. (2019). The effect of the earned income tax credit on housing
and living arrangements. Demography, 56(4), 1303-1326.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13524-019-00791-5
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Swope, C. B., & Hernández, D. (2019). Housing as a determinant of health equity: A conceptual
model. Social Science & Medicine, 243, 112571.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112571
Walsh, A. H. (2019). Public authorities and the shape of decision making. In Urban Politics New
York Style (pp. 188-219). Routledge.
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315289250-7/publicauthorities-shape-decision-making-annmarie-hauck-walsh
Yousefi-Rizi, L., Baek, J. D., Blumenfeld, N., & Stoskopf, C. (2021). Impact of housing
instability and social risk factors on food insecurity among vulnerable residents in San
Diego County. Journal of Community Health, 46(6), 1107-1114.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10900-021-00999-w
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