Housing as a Social Determinant of Health

• Quality housing is directly connected to better health outcomes and forms a crucial basis for addressing broader social determinants of health.

• Collaborative efforts and integrated approaches are essential to driving systemic change and improving the well-being of Michiganders.

• The housing crisis represents a bipartisan concern, impacting individuals irrespective of political affiliations.

Housing conditions and stability directly influence health outcomes and overall well-being. This session, hosted by Delta Dental, discussed the challenges and opportunities in addressing housing as a key factor in public health and explored collaborative strategies to improve community well-being through innovative housing solutions.

Addressing the housing crisis in our society often occurs only during emergencies or long after critical issues have manifested. For example, the waiting period for federal Housing Choice Vouchers can extend over several years. During this prolonged timeframe, individuals may experience deteriorating health, which underscores the urgent need for proactive measures and collaborative efforts to prevent such adverse outcomes.

Granneman highlighted a recent partnership with the Neighborhood Service Organization in Detroit, which provided respite housing to individuals discharged from hospitals, enabling them to recover in a stable environment rather than returning to the streets or overcrowded shelters. She further emphasized that housing is “truly a part of our healthcare system.”

Deliberate efforts to enhance housing solutions underscore their critical role in workforce development. Dobner highlighted the transformative potential of partnerships between employers and nonprofit organizations dedicated to housing initiatives.

“Eighty-six percent sustainability, self-sufficiency, and independence for our families within 240 days of care when they first come into our care at Samaritas,” Dobner said.

Expanding this impact on a broader scale requires collaborative engagement from corporate stakeholders and community organizations. Addressing such challenges uplifts communities and fosters a healthier and more stable workforce. As Dobner stated, housing initiatives empower individuals to contribute meaningfully to their communities, thereby enriching societal well-being and economic productivity.

The housing crisis transcends political affiliations and must be recognized as a bipartisan concern. Ensuring safe, stable, and affordable housing is fundamental to fostering a healthy, productive society, and its benefits extend across the social and economic spectrum. Grannemann underscored the gravity of the issue with a stark statistic.

“Across the country, we have a 3.8 million housing unit shortage across the United States, and Michigan is no different,” Granneman said.

This widespread deficit impacts individuals and families regardless of their political identity, highlighting the necessity for collaborative action from all stakeholders—government entities, corporate leaders, and nonprofit organizations alike.

This 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference session was hosted by Delta Dental of Michigan.