The role of housing in educational opportunities

Academic success begins at home

A family’s living conditions can play a significant role in a child’s educational opportunities and achievements.

Families who spend too much of their income on housing often must make critical trade-offs, including forgoing educational and enrichment opportunities for themselves and their children.

For children, frequent or unplanned moves will often negatively impact achievement. A stable place to call home provides a secure environment and adequate space to study and think. Better lighting, room for a small desk, a parent’s ability to devote time to helping with homework — all of these can lead to improved academic outcomes.

“If we care about providing kids a stable shot at going to the same school for several years and meeting role models and students and guidance counselors who can help them reach their full potential, then we have to provide their families a stable place to live.”

— Matthew Desmond, author of “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City”

Habitat’s affordable mortgages and loans, energy-efficient construction, and repairs all help to lower housing costs for many families, allowing them to make greater investments in their children’s education. In a 2015 report “Impacts of Habitat for Humanity Homeownership,” researchers from the Wilder Foundation determined that almost two-thirds of Habitat homeowners with children in Minnesota say they feel more confident about their ability to fund their kids’ college education.

Furthermore, adults in stable and affordable housing are more likely to invest in education for themselves — bolstering job opportunities, long-term career growth, social mobility and finances that can help lift up their entire family.

No matter one’s age, having a decent place to call home — a place to feel secure — can lead to future success.

Share this page on your:

Habitat for Humanity homeowner and her son, who is a Rhodes scholar.

A home transforms a family's future

Now a Rhodes Scholar, Jacob shares how his proudest moment was the night that his family slept in their new Habitat home.

Child hugs father outside their Habitat home

Potential starts at home

Sacramento Habitat has begun to measure the paths paved by the new beginnings of the 100 families it’s helped.

Habitat houses foster optimism and confidence

Amanda shares how being around the Habitat volunteers and staff members who helped build her family’s home gave her a new perspective on the possibilities for her future.

Jeyanthini with her son Satheeshan in Sri Lanka

For my children's sake

Through the EU-funded “Homes not Houses” project, Sri Lankan families are building better lives.

The impact of partnership and advocacy in D.C.

Shawnee, Tami and Bobby represent three of the 13 families in the Towns at Ivy City development — and 41 in the larger Ivy City neighborhood — that have benefited from an ongoing partnership between D.C.’s Department of Housing and Community Development and Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C.

Jerzy and Alicja embracing in their home.

Generations of joy

In 1992, Jerzy and Alicja became the first family to take a leap of faith and partner with Habitat Poland. Because they did, they, their children and their grandchildren are reaping the rewards that come with a stable, affordable home.