Students Benefit from Homeownership
Dr. Michael A. Robinson and Michel Davis Robinson

According to the Habitat for Humanity of New York children of homeowners fair better academically, socially, behaviorally and economically than children of renters. In their report, the Habitat for Humanity cites research from such notable researchers as:

• Harkness and Newman, 2003
• Haurin, Parcel, Haurin, 2000
• Homeownership Alliance of Nonprofit Downpayment Providers

The Habitat for Humanity of New York report indicated the several advantages children of homeowners have over children of renters:

• Math Achievement Scores 9 percent higher
• Reading Achievement Scores 7 percent higher
• High School Graduation Rate 25 percent higher
• Acquire Post-Secondary Education 100 percent higher
• College Graduation Rate 116 percent higher
• Be Homeowners in 10 years 59 percent higher
• Quality of Home Environment 13 to 23 percent higher
• Parental Income 100 percent higher
• Behavioral Problems 1 to 3 percent lower
• Give Birth as Unmarried Teenager 40 percent lower
• Grow up in Single-Parent Household 50 percent lower
• Idle at Age 20 and Rely on Welfare 50 percent lower

The findings are startling and represent the central point for a national discussion for the continued need to provide affordable housing for all Americans who aspire to be homeowners. Additionally, the findings suggest it becomes essential for school districts to intensify academic programming to schools with a higher percentage of home renters among their student population.