Build Missouri Health - St. Louis, MO

Healthy & Affordable Housing

Where and how we live shapes nearly every aspect of our health. Safe, stable, and affordable housing makes it easier to maintain a job, access education and healthcare, and build strong networks of community support.

Stable, healthy housing is one of the most important drivers of health outcomes—shaping everything from chronic disease and mental health to educational and economic opportunity.

At Build Missouri Health, we believe that healthy and affordable housing is essential to a healthier Missouri.

Why It Matters

Missouri faces a significant shortage of housing that is both affordable and healthy.

Today, there are only 31 affordable rental homes available for every 100 extremely low-income households, and the state has a shortfall of more than 128,000 affordable rental units.
Nearly 30% of Missouri households are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than a third of their income on housing.

When housing is unstable or unsafe, the impacts ripple outward—affecting physical health, mental well-being, and long-term economic stability for families and entire communities.

In Missouri, poor housing quality is directly linked to higher rates of asthma, lead exposure, injury, and chronic stress. Homes with mold, pests, or poor ventilation can worsen respiratory conditions. Older housing stock increases the risk of lead exposure, which can permanently impact health over a lifetime. Unsafe or deteriorating housing conditions also contribute to preventable injuries that send thousands of Missourians to the emergency room each year.

These risks are not evenly distributed. Communities with fewer resources are more likely to experience substandard housing conditions—and the health consequences that come with them.

Our Approach

Build Missouri Health supports programs and policies that expand access to housing that is both affordable and healthy. We work with partners across the state to strengthen systems that make stable housing possible.

Through fiscal sponsorship, convening, and connecting we help organizations:

Increase access to safe and affordable housing options
Improve housing quality and energy efficiency
Support community-led solutions that reflect local needs

We believe lasting progress happens when communities have the resources and flexibility to design solutions that work where they live.

Housing and Health

Affordability is only part of the story. Housing quality also plays a critical role in health. Older buildings, poor insulation, and inefficient systems can increase exposure to extreme heat and cold, mold, and poor indoor air quality.

In Missouri, many homes were built before modern health and safety standards were in place. As a result, housing conditions continue to expose residents to environmental health risks.

Elevated blood lead levels remain a concern in communities with older housing stock, and radon exposure—linked to increased cancer risk—is common in Missouri, where naturally occurring radon can seep into homes through foundations and basements.

In some Missouri communities, high energy costs make it harder for families to keep homes at safe temperatures year-round.

Improving housing quality and energy efficiency can lower utility costs, reduce exposure to environmental hazards, and support healthier indoor environments—while also making homes more resilient to extreme weather and improving long-term health outcomes.

Housing affordability and health impact data are informed by the Missouri Healthy Housing Fact Sheet published by the National Center for Healthy Housing.

Visit the National Center for Healthy Housing

Get Involved

Expanding access to healthy and affordable housing requires collaboration across sectors. If you’re working on housing solutions in Missouri—whether through direct services, community development, or systems-level programs—we invite you to partner with us.

Build Missouri Health can support your work through fiscal sponsorship and connection to a statewide network focused on improving health outcomes.

About Fiscal Sponsorship