CHNA - Flipbook - Page 19
HOUSING
“The utter lack of affordable housing
options and the steadily rising rent costs
are pushing more and more people out of
housing and into homelessness.”
Our community views housing as a critical part of overall health
and wellbeing. Without secure, safe, and affordable housing,
people indicate they are unable to prioritize other health
needs. In the words of one survey participant, “Without safety
of a home or a roof over your head, one cannot prioritize other
health needs. ”People indicated that the lack of affordable housing, largely attributed to rising rent and home
costs, was the most concerning issue. The quantitative data for the Verdant Service Area confirms that the
cost of housing in our area has not only significantly increased, but also at a rate that is statistically significant
when compared to other areas in Western Washington. People indicated wide disparities in housing, with
wealth disparity identified as a root cause of housing problems, as housing costs are rapidly increasing. “The
lack of affordable housing. Healthy living takes money. Without affordable housing, people can’t access
healthy food or medical care.
Housing Affordability
These perspectives of community members are further supported by the quantitative data for the Verdant
Service Area. The cost of housing in South Snohomish County has risen dramatically. The Housing
Affordability Index, which measures whether or not a typical family earns enough income to quality for a
mortgage loan on a typical home at the national and regional levels based on the most recent median sale
price and median family income. The Verdant Service Area’s Housing Affordability Index scores worse than
Snohomish County and the National Average.
Verdant Health Commission 2022
Page 19
