Exploring the connection between housing, neighborhoods, and community well-being
Project Summary
As part of the Whole Communities Whole Health initiative at UT-Austin, this research explores how housing conditions and neighborhood characteristics influence both physical and mental health. While previous studies have primarily emphasized economic drivers, this work adopts a more comprehensive lens—examining how affordability, housing stability and quality, and access to neighborhood resources such as parks, libraries, and grocery stores collectively shape overall well-being.
The findings aim to inform local policies that promote healthier and more resilient communities.
Researchers
Akram Al-Turk, PhD is a Researcher and Program Director for the Moritz Center’s Housing Program. His current work focuses on understanding the complex causes of housing instability and evaluating the impact of homeless service programs. Prior to joining the Moritz Center, he was the Senior Director of Research and Public Policy at the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition in Travis County. He has led community-based research projects and collaborated with service providers, policymakers, and advocacy groups. Dr. Al-Turk holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master’s in Global Policy Studies from the LBJ School, where he now teaches as an adjunct faculty member.
Elisa V. Borah, MSW, PhD, is Director of the Moritz Center for Societal Impact and a research professor at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin. She also leads the Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness (IMVFW). Her research focuses on support programs for military members, veterans, and their families, including peer support, self-care among spouses, and suicide prevention. In 2015, she founded the Veteran Spouse Network (VSN) to enhance support for veteran families. Borah chairs the Military Social Work Conference and previously directed research at the Ft. Hood site of the STRONG STAR PTSD Research Consortium.