DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/9FMS-K811
Defense Date
2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Public Policy & Administration
First Advisor
Sarah E. Raskin, PhD, MPH
Second Advisor
B. Ethan Coston, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
I-Shian (Ivan) Suen, Ph.D.
Fourth Advisor
Benjamin Teresa, Ph.D.
Abstract
This dissertation investigates the relationship between disability and housing affordability in the United States, using data from the 2023 American Housing Survey (AHS). Grounded in critical disability theory and utilizing the biopsychosocial model, the study examines how disability and disability type interact regarding housing cost burden (measured via housing cost-to-income ratio, or HCIR), while accounting for a range of socioeconomic and demographic variables.
The research questions are (a) Controlling for relevant socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, how and to what extent does disability status shape housing cost burdens for U.S. household members? and (b) To what extent do additional variables, such as the number of disabled individuals in a household, type of disability, number of children, income sources, poverty level, housing tenure, and household demographic factors (e.g., age, race, cohabitation, marital status), mediate, moderate, or otherwise contribute to the relationship between disability status and housing affordability? Specifically, how do these factors interact to explain variations in housing cost burdens for disabled individuals across U.S. households?
The research employs quantitative analyses in SPSS, including multiple linear regression, ANOVA, and ANCOVA to assess the correlation between disability and housing affordability. Findings are mixed as to whether households with disabled members experience significantly higher housing cost burdens than those without, especially when controlling for confounding factors. Notably, households with physical and self-care disabilities faced the highest housing cost burdens. The burden was exacerbated for households with multiple disabled members, those led by disabled women, and those relying on government assistance. These disparities reflect systemic inequalities and reinforce the framing of disability as an important factor to consider in housing policy.
This study contributes to the housing and disability studies literatures by updating prior findings with nationally representative, current data, and by emphasizing the importance of disaggregating disability types in housing policy research. The results underscore the urgent need for targeted and inclusive housing policies that consider the dimensions of disability as aligned with the biopsychosocial model. The study shows that opportunities exist to further research disability and housing affordability, and better target policy. Doing so could serve as an important step toward improving the housing affordability experiences of households containing disabled people.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
7-31-2025
Included in
Health Policy Commons, Other Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons, Public Administration Commons, Public Policy Commons, Social Justice Commons, Social Policy Commons, Urban Studies Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons