Where we live — the place we lay our head at night — has a profound effect on everyday life. Yet 15 million people in the United States don’t have access to stable housing. Housing security may be a major factor in one’s health. If you don’t have a safe place to stay, it may be difficult to feel secure or manage your overall well-being.
In order to help address these needs, UnitedHealthcare recently announced an additional $100 million investment in affordable housing — which brings the company’s total contribution to $500 million.
The investment in the Health & Housing Fund, which partners with Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF) and the National Affordable Housing Trust (NAHT), will help build more than 1,000 new homes for families and seniors facing housing insecurity.
“The connection between housing and health is undeniable and the COVID-19 pandemic has increasingly brought this further to the forefront as an urgent need throughout the communities we serve,” said Heather Cianfrocco, chief executive officer, UnitedHealthcare Community & State. “Through our continued leadership and investments in affordable housing and support services, we are helping drive better health outcomes for some of the nation’s most underserved populations.”
The initial three sites for the new housing units include:
100 apartments at Anacostia Gardens in Washington, D.C., developed by The NHP Foundation
40 apartments at Morningstar Apartments in Wharton, Texas, developed by National Churches Residences
30 apartments at Bent Oak Village in Choctaw, Oklahoma, developed by Volunteers of America
