Home Is the Key to Health
Home Is the Key to Health: A Morning of Insight, Impact, and Community
As one of just five Habitat for Humanity affiliates nationwide participating in Habitat for Humanity International’s Home Is the Key initiative, we proudly hosted our annual breakfast focused on a powerful idea: we all benefit when affordable housing and homeownership are accessible to everyone.
This year’s event highlighted the growing conversation around housing and health, bringing together Indianapolis community leaders, housing advocates, healthcare professionals, and supporters to explore the connection between housing stability and community well-being.
Hosted in partnership with IBJ Media and sponsored by Managed Health Services, Eli Lilly and Company, and LISC Indianapolis, the event showcased how collaboration can drive solutions to affordable housing challenges in Indianapolis.
/Why Affordable Housing Is a Public Health Issue/
Our keynote speaker, Dr. Roshanak Mehdipanah of the University of Michigan, shared research on the connection between housing and health outcomes. Her work demonstrates how unstable housing conditions—such as frequent utility shutoffs or unsafe living environments—can negatively impact both physical and mental health, including childhood development and long-term wellness.
Her message reinforced a critical point:
Affordable housing is not just a housing issue—it is a public health issue.
/Homeowner Stories of Real Impact/
One of the most moving moments of the event came from Doris, a Habitat homeowner, whose story illustrates the real-life impact of affordable homeownership.
Before partnering with Habitat, Doris faced unhealthy living conditions, including black mold. After moving into her home, everything changed. As she shared, her home “started working for me,” allowing her to focus on her health and her future. Stories like Doris’s demonstrate how affordable housing improves health, reduces stress, and creates wealth building opportunities for families in Indianapolis.
Watch homeowner testimonials and event highlights here.
/Perspective of Health in Indianapolis from Expert Panel/
The event also featured a panel of local experts discussing housing insecurity and public health, including Dr. Jack Turman, Ph.D. of IU School of Medicine, Jamal Smith of the Indy Health District, State Health Commissioner, Dr. Lindsay M. Weaver, MD, FACEP, and Dr. Virginia Caine, M.D., the director for Marion County Public Health Department.
During the discussion Dr. Jack Turman highlighted that infants are the demographic most likely to experience homelessness, emphasizing the urgent need for stable housing for families. Dr. Virginia Caine stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration, noting that solving the affordable housing crisis requires partnership among public leaders, private organizations, and community stakeholders. This conversation underscored the importance of community-driven solutions.
One theme carried throughout the morning: research and lived experience show that Habitat homeowners often experience improved respiratory health, reduced stress, increased financial stability, and a greater sense of optimism. When families have access to safe, stable housing, the benefits extend across entire communities. At Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity, we believe affordable housing is the foundation for healthy families and thriving communities.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Home Is the Key to Health event and continues to support affordable homeownership in Central Indiana. Because of you, more families have access to safe, stable housing—and a healthier future. When home is within reach, health is too.
/Relive the Event by Browsing Photos/
