Indicator Gauge Icon Legend
Legend Colors
Red is bad, green is good, blue is not statistically different/neutral.
Compared to Distribution
the value is in the best half of communities.
the value is in the 2nd worst quarter of communities.
the value is in the worst quarter of communities.
Compared to Target
meets target; 
does not meet target.
Compared to a Single Value
lower than the comparison value;
higher than the comparison value;
not statistically different from comparison value.
Trend
non-significant change over time; 
significant change over time; 
no change over time.
Compared to Prior Value
higher than the previous measurement period;
lower than the previous measurement period;
no statistically different change from previous measurement period.
Significantly better than the overall value
Significantly worse than the overall value
No significant difference with the overall value
No data on significance available
Severe Housing Problems
This indicator is archived and is no longer being updated. Click to learn more
This indicator measures the percentage of households with at least one of the following four housing problems: overcrowding, high housing costs, lack of kitchen, or lack of plumbing facilities.
Why is this important?
Safe and affordable housing is an essential component of healthy communities, and the effects of housing problems are widespread. Residents who do not have a kitchen in their home are more likely to depend on unhealthy convenience foods, and a lack of plumbing facilities increases the risk of infectious disease. Research has found that young children who live in crowded housing conditions are at increased risk of food insecurity, which may impede their academic performance. In areas where housing costs are high, low-income residents may be forced into substandard living conditions with an increased exposure to mold and mildew growth, pest infestation, and lead or other environmental hazards.
| County | Source | Measurement Period | Percent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Data Source
- County Health Rankings
Maintained By: Conduent Healthy Communities Institute (Methodology)
Filed under: Economy / Housing & Homes, Environmental Health / Built Environment, Health / Prevention & Safety, Physical Determinants of Health