Housing and homelessness
Where we live and how we live have a big impact on health and well-being. In many communities across the country, housing is becoming less affordable. This challenge undermines the health of people living in our communities, who are often forced to cut back on meals or postpone needed medical care.
Guided by our mission, Kaiser Permanente works with partners to improve access to safe, affordable housing.
745,000
people are experiencing homelessness in the United States1
4.9 million
additional homes are needed to meet current U.S. demand2
$400 million
committed by Kaiser Permanente toward housing stability and affordability3
At Kaiser Permanente, we believe communities must:
- Support the building and preservation of affordable housing
- Identify support for renters and homeowners with low incomes
- Engage with partners across government and community sectors to expand access to safe and stable housing
In support of our policy priorities, Kaiser Permanente has:
- Advocated at the federal level for low-income housing tax credits that expand access to affordable housing and help keep families in their homes
- Supported housing bonds at the state and local level that increase the affordable housing supply and aid homelessness programs
- Encouraged city governments to pass inclusionary zoning policies that promote affordable housing development and reduce segregation
- Advocated for the creation of local affordable housing trusts to support more affordable housing development
- Encouraged city governments to provide legal support for renters in eviction proceedings
- Supported expansion of the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which has created more than 1.3 million affordable homes for people and families with low incomes since its inception in 1990
- Advocated for Congress to include housing in federal infrastructure plans and to expand tools and financing to stimulate private market production of affordable housing for working and low-income families
- Encouraged cities to adopt healthy rental housing policies that ensure homes in our communities meet the safety standards we all want — from good plumbing to lead-free paint
1 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2026.
2 Brookings Institution, 2024.
3 Kaiser Permanente, 2026.
