Associations between substandard housing and depression: insights from the Korea welfare panel study.

BACKGROUND: Housing is an important social determinant of health. Poor housing conditions are associated with a wide range of health conditions, including mental health. The study aimed to investigate the association between substandard housing and depression. METHODS: We used panel data collected by the Korea Welfare Panel Study and a sample drawn from waves 11 (2016) to 13 (2018). Substandard housing was defined via three criteria: the minimum residential area and number of rooms by application, essential facility standards, and environmental standards. Depression was measured with the CESD-11. A generalized estimating equation model was used to investigate associations between substandard housing and CESD-11 scores. RESULTS: Participants living in substandard housing have higher depression scores (male: ß = 0.63, female: ß = 0.40) than participants who do not live in substandard housing. Participants who do not meet environmental standards have higher depression scores (male: ß = 0.85, female: ß = 0.66) than participants who do not live in substandard housing; the findings are seen in both men and women. CONCLUSION: This study identified an association between substandard housing and depression by gender, and the results were significant. We found that among the three criteria, environmental standards are most likely to be associated with depression. In practical terms, we should consider improving environmental factors of housing to mitigate mental health issues related to substandard housing.

Perceived Health Problems of Young Single-Person Households in Housing Poverty Living in Seoul, South Korea: A Qualitative Study.

There is an increased prevalence of housing poverty among urban young adults; however, research on housing poverty and health is lacking. This study examined the effects of housing poverty on the health concepts of young people living alone. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 single-person households, with individuals aged 19-39 years, living in Seoul, the demographic group with the highest housing poverty rate in South Korea. Data were analyzed using the constant comparison method. Based on the health concepts of the respondents, housing poverty negatively affected health in terms of "the occurrence and continuation of anxiety," "the increase and continuation of lethargy," "the difficulty in managing daily life and taking care of health," "the lack of a dependable support person," and "the difficulty in preventing and treating disease." The majority of young people experienced difficulties responding to their situations, and their housing poverty was hard to overcome. This study suggests the need to expand healthy housing policies, strengthen housing safety nets, and enhance access to public resources needed for a healthy living.

Why don't owners improve their homes? Results from a survey following a housing warrant-of-fitness assessment for health and safety.

OBJECTIVE: To assess homeowners' intentions to make voluntary improvements to their homes following a warrant-of-fitness (WOF) assessment to highlight health and safety issues. METHODS: We recruited 83 homeowners, including nine landlords, in Taranaki, New Zealand, who agreed to have a WOF assessment carried out on their homes. We interviewed 40 of the homeowners to ascertain what improvements they planned to make, and barriers to improving their homes. RESULTS: Of the 83 properties, 76 (92%) failed the WOF. Of the 40 interview participants, 31 (76%) had addressed or planned to address at least one of the identified issues with the home. Participants were least likely to address identified issues with security stays on windows, and absence of ground vapour barrier. Reasons for not addressing identified issues included cost, and a belief that making the improvement would not benefit health and safety. CONCLUSIONS: Information about housing defects appears insufficient to encourage people to make improvements to their homes to meet a specified health and safety standard. Implications for public health: Better understanding of how particular housing defects pose a risk for health and safety, and provision of funding support in some cases, may encourage people to invest in safer, healthier homes.

Towards an agreed quality standard for rental housing: field testing of a New Zealand housing WOF tool.

OBJECTIVE: Report on a field test of a rental housing warrant of fitness (WOF) to assess its practicality and utility for supporting improved quality of housing. METHODS: Five councils each recruited at least 25 rental houses to undergo a WOF assessment. The assessment included housing features that, based on a combination of research and practicality, were considered to have an important impact on health, safety and energy efficiency. Assessors were interviewed to get their feedback on the process. Landlords representing 81% of the rental properties were interviewed on their attitudes to the WOF. RESULTS: Of the sample of 144 houses, 94% failed at least one of 31 criteria. The most common reasons were: unsafe water temperature; no security stays; no smoke alarms; no fixed heating; and unsuitable handrails/balustrades. If items that required little (