A study done by the California Policy Lab found that, “Health and behavioral health care needs, and experiences of abuse and trauma, are major factors in loss of housing among unsheltered people, most especially for unsheltered women,” with 80% of unsheltered women experiencing abuse and trauma in their lifetime (CA Policy Lab 2019). Furthermore, experiencing homelessness, or living in an inadequate shelter, only further exacerbates the trauma experienced. It is irresponsible to expect a human to heal and become empowered without a safe and comfortable living environment. The argument that the form and function of where one lives matters can be supported by neuroscientist Fred Gage, who states, “Although the brain controls our behavior and genes control brain structure, the environment can modulate the function of genes and ultimately the structure of the brain, and therefore can change our behavior. The architectural design changes our brains and behavior,” (NIH 2018).

Given the effect the built environment has on the human brain, able to make one’s life better or worse, all spaces, especially livable ones, must be designed with the user’s history and current experience in mind. The supportive and affordable housing developments of today are using this neuroscience research to build spaces that ensure the occupants have decency and improved mental health in their living environment. That’s where trauma-informed design (TID) comes in. This design tactic has 4 characteristics that are taken into account when developing a space for individuals who have experienced trauma: Collaboration & Community, Choice & Empowerment, Safety & Trust, and Beauty & Joy. Each characteristic has overlapping ways in which design can act accordingly (shown in the chart below).

Examples of the design opportunities that can take place include (but are not limited to); allowing occupants to choose their own paint colors, having spaces that incorporate as much natural light as possible, creating clear lines of sight and an open floor plan in common spaces, making nature easily accessible, encouraging elements of cultural expression that take into account the target community and context, providing furniture that is lightweight and movable (…) more can be found here. Such design implementations are necessary, as individuals with trauma can experience triggers in their environment that can cause further detriment to their mental health. Failed practices of having a window look into a neighbor’s living space, utilizing dark and/or limited paint colors, limiting decorative and personal elements, and having harsh lighting, make for an unsuitable environment for improving one’s overall health.

If all it takes is adjusting the design of a building according to TID standards, then it is without question to implement such design for the betterment and empowerment of the occupants in both supportive and affordable housing. Everyone deserves better, and it is up to those with the ability to make a difference to uplift communities who are less fortunate to make that change for themselves. Starting with getting people into dignified housing will allow for such populations to improve their mental and physical health, in-turn allowing them to stay housed longer-rather than entering back into the systemic cycle of incarceration and/or houselessness.