The National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) released its latest study on the health of the nation’s housing. According to the study, 35 million (40%) metropolitan homes in the U.S. have one or more health and safety hazards. This number is up from 30 million (35%) in 2009.
The study looks at owner-occupied and rental housing in 46 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and central cities. It uses 20 health-related housing characteristics from the American Housing Survey, which the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsors and the Census Bureau conducts. These characteristics include interior problems like signs of rats or mice, water leaks, inadequate plumbing, and exposed wiring. They also include exterior problems with roofing, siding, windows, and the foundation.
The only MSA in Connecticut that the study covered was Hartford, which includes parts of Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New London, Tolland, and Windham Counties. The entire MSA ranked 24 out of 45 in healthy housing (down from 21 in 2009). Hartford’s central city ranked 33 out of 44 (down from 24 in 2009).
For more information on the study and how the Hartford MSA ranks, visit NCHH’s website.
