This policy brief builds on the learnings from Penn Center for Public Health’s October 17, 2025, Healthy Housing Symposium. It outlines evidence-informed recommendations and practices to reduce the risks and burdens of unhealthy housing and to expand access to healthy homes. Our recommendations prioritize proactive, proven initiatives that support the diverse needs of the community.
These recommendations are based on the understanding that structural inequality drives unhealthy housing conditions that disproportionately impact people of color, which in turn lead to worse health outcomes. While these recommendations offer a means to rectify health inequities, we recognize our shared ability as a city to come together to identify, pass, and implement additional policies that address structural inequality and build toward a healthier future for our city’s residents, in which we all have the opportunity to thrive.
– Developed by the Penn Center for Public Health Healthy Housing Working Group. PRCCEH Deputy Director Dr. Marilyn Howarth and member Dr. Tyra Bryant-Stephens are on the working group.