Habitat World Online


Donald Haurin, professor at Ohio State University, visited Habitat for Humanity International as part of Habitat for Humanity University's lecture series.

Research Demonstrates Benefits of Homeownership

In its drive to share information about housing issues and develop leaders who will guide Habitat for Humanity's effort to rid the world of shacks, Habitat for Humanity University sponsors a lecture series whose speakers include leading thinkers and practitioners in the areas of leadership, affordable housing, philanthropy, public policy and community development.

Donald Haurin, professor of economics, finance and public policy at Ohio State University, visited HFHI's headquarters in Americus, Ga., to deliver the series' second lecture entitled "The Private and Social Benefits of Homeownership."

	'Homeownership is vital. There is self-reliance; there is security; there is pride that comes in ownership; there is prosperity for the family; there is stability of neighborhoods, economic growth. There are benefits for children. ...' --Donald Haurin, professor of economics, finance and public policy, Ohio State University, from his lecture "The Private and Social Benefits of Homeownership."

Haurin's chief aim was to explore the question: "What are the consequences of homeownership?" Virtually non-existent until the mid-1990s, research on the topic has "snowballed" since then, according to Haurin, and many people--from economists and sociologists to psychologists, housing authorities and Habitat partners--are interested in what that research reveals.

As more and more studies are funded and completed, Haurin says the consequences uncovered with the "most confidence" are wealth effects, the impact on the home environment, geographic stability, the effects on children and the effects on self-esteem.

Another positive outcome of homeownership, Haurin says, can be stronger neighborhoods because families feel more connected. Children have better academic performance because their housing situation is more stable, they miss fewer school days, and they can more easily establish a network of friends--as opposed to their counterparts whose families are frequently moving and thus less likely to establish strong ties in one particular location.

A much-respected scholar in the area of homeownership and its consequences, Haurin quantifies through research many of the benefits of owning a home. In his lecture, he addresses not only homeownership in general, but also Habitat homeownership in particular.