Healthy Housing for Tenants: A Legal Landscape in Wisconsin

Housing is a critical and fundamental social determinant of health, which directly impacts physical and mental health. Brittany D. Schoenick discusses the rights and responsibilities landlords and tenants have in Wisconsin to ensure healthy housing for families and communities.

By: Brittany Shoenick as published by the Public Interest Blog on wisbar.org

Substandard housing damages the health of children and families in our community, traps low-income renters in cycles of poverty, and exacerbates racial inequities. Mold, dust, and infestations from mice, rats, and cockroaches can trigger asthma attacks and cause other respiratory problems.

Unsafe and unstable housing can contribute to chronic stress, which in turn can cause various negative health outcomes. Radon, carbon monoxide and other poisons and carcinogens can cause illness, injury or death. Damaged electrical wiring and missing or faulty smoke detectors can lead to fire, injury, and even death. Moreover, research has shown that poverty, poor housing, and poor health are all interconnected.

Read more here --->