Roadmap to a unified measure of housing insecurity

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Authors:

Robynn Cox, Assistant Professor at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California & and a member of the faculty at the Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California
Benjamin Henwood, Assistant Professor at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California
Seva Rodnyansky, Ph.D. Candidate at the Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California
Suzanne Wenzel, Richard M. and Ann L. Thor Professor in Urban Social Development at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California
Eric Rice, Associate Professor at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California & Founding Co-Director of the USC Center for Artificial Intelligence in Society

Abstract:

We argue for the development of a unified measure of housing insecurity, which includes the creation of a consistent definition and an instrument that allows researchers to accurately measure the problem. Our survey of the literature uncovers that there are multiple terms and definitions used to describe housing insecurity. Based on our analysis, we argue for one term, housing insecurity, and we put forth a definition that captures the various dimensions of this issue. Ultimately, we believe expert policy makers, practitioners, and academicians should convene to define and develop this measure, and that the development of the U.S. Food Security Survey Module provides a blueprint for how this can be accomplished.