House-Proud: New Research Links Homeownership to Mental Wellness

More than two in every 10 adults in the United States live with mental illnesses. More than 8% of our population is dealing with a major depressive disorder. Since the pandemic took hold, mental health issues have shown a trend upward.

What does a deed (or the lack of one) have to do with this? Maybe more than we knew.

Homeownership and Mental Health: Connected?

In the past year, new research has come out in the public health field about the correlation between owning a home and mental well-being. Of note is a study titled Unlocking the Door to Mental Wellness – Exploring the Impact of Homeownership on Mental Health Issues.

This recent publication:

• Aligns with past findings connecting housing and health.

• Specifically looks at the way holding the deed to one’s home, as opposed to renting, can ease mental health challenges such as depression.

The authors make a case for crafting housing policies to support the mental health of the U.S. population.

Who Took Part in the Study?

The study included 401,958 people — adults of various generations and ages. Some participants were renters and some were deed holders. Certain traits made people more likely to own and others to rent their homes:

• The younger adults (aged 18 – 34) years were more likely to be renting, the researchers found.

• There was a “highly significant association between race and housing status.” This points to the higher burden of stress on non-white residents, who are less likely to hold their own deeds.

• Among married participants, 85% held their own deeds. People who never married were the most likely, at 64%, to be renters.

• The participants with college degrees were more likely to hold their own deeds, as were the employed participants.

In general, higher incomes and homeownership were strongly linked.

What Type of Stress (or Relief) Did Participants Report?

The study demonstrated a “significant” difference for people who acquired deeds in terms of mental health improvements. The deed holders reported fewer instances of:

• Depressive disorders.

• Difficulty recalling details or concentrating.

• Physical or mental health issues that make daily activities harder.

• Days within the past month in which mental health was at issue.

The researchers found that significant mental health challenges were eased for homeowners, even after adjusting for various financial, social, and individual factors. Whether people were in their 30s or in their 50s or any other ages, the links between mental health outcomes and deed holding appeared similar. In short, the findings suggest that holding a deed can strengthen mental well-being at every life stage.

The researchers point out past research indicating a correlation between stable housing and mental wellness. Homeowners in the new study, too, generally reported greater life satisfaction. So, the researchers were able to draw connections to stress reduction and “better overall quality of life” now demonstrated by multiple studies over time.

What a Difference a Deed Makes—But How?

Research indicates that homeownership supports mental well-being by:

• Cutting down on frequent and unwanted moves. Renters are subject to others’ decisions about the property, which can lead to stress and upheaval.

• Providing a financial safety net, which can ease anxiety. Notably, most U.S. home buyers select a fixed mortgage rate for a long term of years. Thus, a large part of the household’s cost of living is stable and predictable. In contrast, most rental agreements are short-term, with rents subject to periodic hikes.

• Enabling wealth accumulation through the appreciation of the market value of real estate. The savings of home equity can shield a household against financial stress, thereby supporting mental well-being.

• Supporting strong families, social mobility, and the creation of intergenerational wealth.

• Providing a sense of control and the ability to make improvements in living spaces, and pride of ownership.

Renters have a limited ability to predict the future in terms of housing costs and stability. A sense of control over our living spaces is a serious factor in lowering stress. This has both physical and mental benefits. People who enjoy housing security, in turn, have more confidence in dealing with day-to-day interactions and challenges, which supports mental well-being.

Strikingly, the researchers suggest that a deed could help us live longer. “Our findings align with the idea that owning a home provides stability and control,” they write, “which may alleviate stress and enhance mental well-being, overall health, and longevity.”

What Are the Researchers’ Conclusions and Recommendations?

The researchers point to a mental health crisis that exists, now, in the United States. They explain how both the mental health field and the housing market would be stronger and better if policy makers took into account the potential benefits of affordable homes on people’s well-being.

The researchers discussed the “positive impact of homeownership on mental health” — both as indicated in their work and in prior research by others. Their findings underscore the importance of putting housing within the financial reach of residents. They stated that affordable homeownership opportunities would potentially alleviate not just housing stability, but also uplift the mental health of people in the United States.

While the households they surveyed were in the United States, situations in other countries, the researchers note, are different. For instance, some countries ensure housing stability for renters. Presumably the links between owning and mental health would be less striking, then, in those areas. 

The researchers note that the beneficial link from housing to better health can be broken if the homeowners are struggling to cover their home upkeep costs, monthly mortgage, and escrow payments.

Households with modest incomes can be hit hard by rises in certain housing costs, such as insurance premiums.

This point means policy makers need to do more than encourage housing development. What’s just as essential is ensuring routes to financially accessible housing. Both of these are necessary for promoting greater mental health benefits.

The researchers point out that stable and affordable housing, and plans like those that extend financial boosts to first-time homebuyers, can promote the well-being of an entire society. They recommend rethinking zoning to support inclusivity.  

A Universal Need

A deed in the hand can be a powerful thing. It represents shelter, and a lot more. For many people, it represents safety, personal well-being, and inspiration that leads to other successes. A deed in the hand can be protection for mental wellness.

Not everyone wants to buy property, and that is perfectly fine. For those who do want to buy, homes should be financially accessible. Adequate housing is a basic human right, according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The latest research on housing and mental health shows yet another reason why it ought to be treated as such — in all countries, including our own.