Homeownership and Public Assistance

Brookings Institute found some time ago that housing stability lowers teenage pregnancy. There is vast literature on the link between teen pregnancy and the likelihood of receiving public assistance.**1 Therefore, to the extent that homeownership and stable housing reduce teen pregnancy, one can expect a reduction in the incidence of public assistance among those living in a stable neighborhood.  Furthermore, Page-Adams found that homeowners are better able to adjust after being laid off from a job due to their access to home equity credit lines, and hence, lessening their need for public assistance.**2

**1 Sawhill, I., 1998. “Teen Pregnancy Prevention,” Brookings Institute’s Policy Brief #38. 
**2 Page-Adams, D., and N. Vosler. 1997. Homeownership and Well-Being Among Blue-Collar Workers, Washington University, School of Social Work.