Building PARKS Holistic Housing for Women

It may come as no surprise that childhood housing insecurity is linked to short- and long-term anxiety and depression, along with other health problems.  Adult housing insecurity is also impactful, as many of us learned during the pandemic.

This is why Sisterhood Agenda is building PARKS Holistic Housing.  Information is power.  Sisterhood Agenda continues its predevelopment processes, also raising funds and awareness.  We invite you to share this information with your friends and family who might be interested.

Ryan Keen is a Harvard Scholar who recently published his study findings in JAMA Pediatrics that explored the relationship between childhood housing insecurity and mental health. The study found that children who experienced housing insecurity are more likely to develop anxiety and depression symptoms during childhood and adolescence and more likely to develop depression symptoms as adults than housing-secure children.

Those who already have histories of trauma can be further traumatized by housing insecurity. Some women who experience housing insecurity have even compared it to being in a war zone with experiences of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  For many others, there are even signs of accelerated biological aging. In addition, housing discrimination can have long-term impacts on health and well-being.  

When you learn that housing insecurity has severe health consequences, one of your first questions might be:  what is housing insecurity? Housing insecurity is defined as: "the inability to pay rent or utilities, need to move frequently, or residing in a place where personal safety or health is compromised.“

When you are stressed out about your housing situation, it can affect your emotional state and ability to focus and thrive.  When you have children, there can be a lot more pressure to provide for you and your little ones.

Now, in addition to understanding the impact that stress has on our minds, body, and spirit, we also know that there are negative health consequences for this very specific type of stress.

Everyone needs housing:  children, parents, students, working people, professionals... all of us. With today's rental housing market, there is a lot of housing insecurity due to very high rental housing rates, lack of affordable housing, and lack of stable employment/income.  Since the global pandemic, housing insecurity has increased a great deal.

Let's not confuse housing insecurity with homelessness. Housing insecurity is NOT homelessness.  Homelessness means that a person does not have a stable, reliable, or permanent place to live, often residing with a family member or friend, in a shelter, automobile, motel, public facility, or an abandoned building or outside.

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At Sisterhood Agenda, we know that we can do better. We can build homes more intentionally. PARKS Holistic Housing is no-stress housing for women and children, especially those who have experienced difficulties in the past.  We all deserve safe, affordable, eco-friendly homes with support services and green spaces that promote empowerment, health, and healing. 

We hope that you join us with this whole person/whole planet approach to trauma, healing, and housing.