The impact of place on health: Neighbourhood & residential satisfaction as a contributor to physical and mental health in applicants for publicly subsidized housing

Little is known about residential satisfaction in individuals who wait for subsidized housing and its relationship to health. This paper measures residential satisfaction in applicants for subsidized housing in New Brunswick, Canada and investigates its contributions to mental and physical health. The findings indicate that residential dissatisfaction is significantly associated with depression and distress; however, it is not significantly associated with physical health. The authors conclude that individuals may experience better mental health with the introduction of targeted interventions (e.g. programs to improve social interactions in lower income neighbourhoods) to improve residential dissatisfaction. • Residential satisfaction is significantly associated with depression and distress. • Income and social support also significant predicted depression and distress. • Interventions to improve residential satisfaction may benefit mental health. • There is no significant association of residential satisfaction and physical health.