The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is excited to partner with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and the Housing Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania to evaluate the City’s largest rental improvement home repair fund: the Rental Improvement Fund, which was developed and is operated by the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation.

At the health department, we know how important housing is to health. Living in homes that are unaffordable or in poor condition can increase stress, negatively affect mental health, and lead to housing instability. Issues like mold, moisture, leaks, lead, and poor ventilation can worsen respiratory conditions like asthma and cause lead poisoning, which can have a major impact on child health and development. The Rental Improvement Fund aims to help small landlords make repairs to their properties while keeping rents affordable, possibly improving tenants’ physical and mental health.

To measure the potential health impacts of the program, the health department is partnering with the Housing Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania to survey tenants who live in units undergoing these repairs. Tenants will be asked about their homes, their health, and their experiences with the program. Invitations to complete the survey will be sent via email, mail, and/or text. The researchers will also be interviewing property owners who engaged in the program to understand whether the program increased their ability to make health-improving investments in their properties.

For more information about the study, email Meagan.Pharis@Phila.gov. 

Click on the logos below for more information about the partners.