A Home Is the Beginning. Stability Is the Goal.
A safe place to live can change someone's life. But lasting housing stability takes more than a set of keys. People also need access to resources, opportunities, supportive relationships, and the tools to build a future.
In Philadelphia, housing instability exists alongside poverty, economic inequality, historical housing discrimination, and differences in health and opportunity.
We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to build a stable, independent, and connected life.
Explore Our Programs →Housing Is the Beginning
A stable home can open the door to greater independence, well-being, and belonging.
Housing Stability Is a Community Issue
Local data illustrates how homelessness, poverty, and health inequities affect Philadelphia residents. These measures help explain why stable housing and access to resources are closely connected.
People Experiencing Homelessness
Reported Philadelphia 2026 Point-in-Time count. A one-night snapshot, not the total number experiencing homelessness during the year.
Living Below the Poverty Level
Philadelphia County residents living below the poverty level in 2022, based on data reviewed in our Community Health Assessment.
Life Expectancy for Non-Hispanic Black Men
Compared with 74 years citywide in 2021, illustrating unequal health outcomes.
Sources to verify before publication: Philadelphia 2026 Point-in-Time count; PolicyMap/ACS (2022); Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Health of the City (2023). Figures retained from the existing page and not independently verified.
Where We Live Shapes How We Live
Housing, income, neighborhood conditions, and access to services influence opportunities to stay healthy and build long-term stability.
Economic Stability
High housing costs can leave families with less money for food, transportation, utilities, education, and other essential needs.
Health and Wellness
Housing instability can disrupt healthcare, medication, healthy food, rest, and supportive services.
Neighborhood Conditions
Environmental burdens, transportation barriers, and unequal access to resources affect health and opportunity.
Community and Belonging
Supportive relationships, welcoming communities, and meaningful resources help people feel connected and move forward.
Housing Is Health.
More Than Four Walls.
Because a safe place to live is the foundation for a healthier life.
Why Housing Is a Public Health Issue
Housing instability includes homelessness, frequent moves, difficulty paying rent, and uncertainty about remaining in a home. It can affect physical health, mental health, financial stability, and access to services.
01 — Physical Health
Safe, stable housing helps reduce harmful exposures and supports continuity of healthcare.
02 — Mental Health
Housing instability can contribute to stress, anxiety, and emotional distress.
03 — Economic Stability
A stable home can make it easier to maintain employment, pursue education, and manage essential expenses.
04 — Community Support
Community connections can improve access to practical resources, referrals, and supportive services.
Housing Alone Isn't Enough
Lasting stability often requires additional support beyond a roof overhead:
- Food and household assistance
- Employment and job-search support
- Healthcare and mental health referrals
- Transportation and community resources
- Housing navigation and supportive services
Be Part of the Conversation
Follow our Housing Is Health campaign and share information about housing and health in Philadelphia.
Follow @diversitylivingincHow Housing Discrimination Still Shapes Health
Housing inequality in Philadelphia did not happen by accident. Historical policies and discriminatory practices shaped which neighborhoods received investment and which communities faced barriers to homeownership and opportunity.
During the 1930s, the Home Owners' Loan Corporation created neighborhood maps grading perceived mortgage lending risk. These classifications reflected racial and socioeconomic discrimination and formed part of a broader history of segregation and disinvestment.
Research identifies associations between historically redlined neighborhoods and differences in housing conditions, environmental burdens, economic opportunity, and health outcomes.
Redlining is not the only cause of these disparities, but its legacy helps explain why housing stability cannot be separated from neighborhood conditions.
From Housing Policy to Health Equity
Historical housing discrimination can influence opportunities across generations.
These are complex research-supported relationships, not a claim that one factor alone determines health outcomes.
Source: Philadelphia City Controller's Office, Mapping the Impact of Structural Racism in Philadelphia (2020), and related housing research.
Get the Key. Get the Tools. Keep the Key.
Housing is the foundation. Practical resources and supportive connections can help people work toward lasting stability.
Connect to Housing
Work toward safe, appropriate housing and a stable place to call home.
Build Resources and Connections
Connect with practical resources, supportive services, referrals, and opportunities matching individual needs and goals.
Strengthen Stability
Build independence, supportive relationships, and tools that help maintain housing stability.
Place and Opportunity Matter
Our Community Health Assessment examined how poverty, neighborhood conditions, environmental burdens, and access to resources intersect in Philadelphia.
A review of PennEnviroScreen 1.1 identified a North Philadelphia census block group with an overall environmental justice score at the 83.3rd percentile and a sensitive-population indicator at the 95.7th percentile.
The asthma indicator ranked above the 99.5th percentile. This is a relative indicator ranking, not the percentage of residents with asthma.
These findings describe one selected census block group, not all of Philadelphia.
Overall environmental justice percentile
Sensitive-population indicator percentile
Asthma indicator percentile, not asthma prevalence
Estimated block-group population using 2023 ACS data
Sources: PennEnviroScreen 1.1 and 2023 ACS, as reviewed in our Community Health Assessment. Verify source figures before publication.
Stability Is About More Than an Address
Every person's path is different. Support should recognize the whole person, respect individual goals, and help connect people with resources.
Practical Support
Help navigating benefits, utility resources, budgeting, credit reports, employment resources, and other services.
Individualized Guidance
Recognizing different strengths, experiences, barriers, and aspirations; helping with applications and available programs.
Connection and Belonging
Supportive relationships and welcoming community resources, including affirming support for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Dignity and Opportunity
Meaningful choices and a stable future, including guidance on waiver programs for aging adults when appropriate.
Turning Community Needs Into Support
Our Community Health Assessment helps us understand how housing, poverty, health, and neighborhood opportunity connect. Diversity Living Inc. uses this understanding to guide practical assistance and partnerships.
Housing and Household Essentials
Housing navigation and referrals, along with donated furniture, beds, and household essentials when available.
Benefits and Basic Needs
Help navigating SNAP, TANF, SSI, food assistance, and utility support resources.
Employment and Opportunity
Job-search assistance and connections to employment resources supporting independence and stability.
Community Connections
Welcoming support and referrals for LGBTQ+ young adults, aging adults, and families.
Research Informs Our Mission
Understanding community conditions helps identify service gaps, strengthen partnerships, and support approaches recognizing the social and economic factors affecting housing stability.
Our goal is not simply to help people find housing, but to connect them with resources supporting long-term well-being, dignity, and opportunity.
Housing and Health Resources
Explore public health information and local housing assistance.
What Do You Know About Housing and Health?
Answer three short questions to check your understanding. This on-page activity provides immediate feedback. It does not collect, store, or transmit answers.
For an MPH campaign evaluation requiring recorded responses, use a separate consent-based survey form and disclose how responses will be used.
Together, We Can Build More Than Housing.
A safe home can open the door. Resources, relationships, and community support help people build a stronger foundation for the future.
Get Involved →Visit diversitylivinginc.org | Call or text (267) 272-0860