Kids living in communities with high poverty and high unemployment rates have lower test scores and are less likely to graduate high school than those who go home each day to a more vibrant community.

Your neighborhood influences your children’s education almost as much as the school they attend.

Of course, teacher expertise, school resources and student support services all contribute too, but so does your neighborhood. A better community usually means better grades and better graduation rates.

Without grocery stores, many people’s only affordable food options are junk foods and fast food, both of which are bad for you.

Many Americans live in communities that could be safer with better and more open communication between residents and police.

Without parks, many of our neighbors are strangers to us, and thus we have little sense of community, which makes for a less vibrant place to live.

Home is where it all starts – whether that means renting or owning your Home.

Home is where it all starts – whether that means renting or owning your Home.

We need more from Home, including a clean community that makes us feel safe and secure.

As the basis for our lives, an unaffordable home can mean unhappiness overall.

As the basis for our lives, an unaffordable home can mean unhappiness overall.

Without widespread revitalization efforts and resources, many impoverished communities become hotbeds of crime, further driving down property values, and forcing residents to either leave or live in unsafe and unhealthy environments.

Many Americans live in communities that could be safer with better and more open communication between residents and police.

For many Americans, long commutes eat up valuable time doing nothing more than sitting in traffic. Not only is this stressful and frustrating, gas costs take a big bite out of the family budget.

Senior citizens without access to better nutrition and exercise experience more injuries and illness, which leads to higher medical costs and less joy in their lives.

Without grocery stores, many people’s only affordable food options are junk foods and fast food, both of which are bad for you.

Frequent moves disrupt many kids’ lives, taking a toll on academic performance and school experience as a whole.

As local shops, stores and restaurants go out of business, home values drop, and communities can become economically depressed.

As local shops, stores and restaurants go out of business, home values drop, and communities can become economically depressed.

Without parks, many of our neighbors are strangers to us, and thus we have little sense of community, which makes for a less vibrant place to live.

Kids living in communities with high poverty and high unemployment rates have lower test scores and are less likely to graduate high school than those who go home each day to a more vibrant community.

Without access to good public transportation, you sit in traffic burning gas, time and money (but very few calories).

Without access to good public transportation, you sit in traffic burning gas, time and money (but very few calories).

Without a safe, affordable and stable Home, we start each day at a disadvantage. A solid Home gives us each a chance to thrive and pursue our own American Dream.

Studies show that housing values increase as more small businesses are created.

Studies show that housing values increase as more small businesses are created.

Grocery stores provide more food options and varieties of fruits and vegetables at better prices than corner stores.

Home empowers us, protects us, restores us, inspires us. We need to start at Home to realize the promise of vibrant communities and a stronger nation. Home is our nation’s common denominator.

Experts have found that parks serve as an important setting for more social interaction, which increases trust, cooperation and the overall health of all residents.

The country succeeds when housing can meet people where they are, whether as renters or home owners. In other words, the path to the American Dream is different for everybody and isn't dependent on whether you rent or own your home.

By more than two to one, more Americans believe that renters can be as successful as homeowners at achieving the American Dream (61%), compared with those who believe that renters are not as successful (28%). This belief is holds among homeowners (59%) and renters (67%) alike and cuts across region and political party lines.

Those who live in affordable, quality homes have better physical health AND mental health in the long term.

That means they not only are at a lower risk for diabetes, they’re less likely to suffer from depression, too!

Community members can enjoy a safer neighborhood by being more involved with their local police.

This involvement can include partnerships and assistance via neighborhood watches and town hall meetings. Residents should be able to report crimes directly to police without fear of being investigated themselves. Those who do not feel comfortable doing so can benefit from the establishment of phone trees or indirect reporting, which can protect individuals' identities.

People who take public transportation often get the daily recommended 30 minutes of exercise simply by walking to and from bus stops and train stations.

The country succeeds when housing can meet people where they are, whether as renters or home owners. In other words, the path to the American Dream is different for everybody and isn't dependent on whether you rent or own your home.

By more than two to one, more Americans believe that renters can be as successful as homeowners at achieving the American Dream (61%), compared with those who believe that renters are not as successful (28%). This belief is holds among homeowners (59%) and renters (67%) alike and cuts across region and political party lines.

Clean communities not only look nice, they also better people’s perceptions of their neighborhoods and their neighbors.

Studies demonstrate that just based on the cleanliness of a neighborhood, residents feel safer and more secure…which is what Home should feel like.

Those who live in affordable, quality homes have better physical health AND mental health in the long term.

That means they not only are at a lower risk for diabetes, they’re less likely to suffer from depression, too!

A successful community revitalization consists of many components.

Some of them are massive undertakings, such as razing old buildings and erecting newer, safer, more attractive homes. But don't discount the small steps! Some of the most successful revitalization efforts begin with many community members coming together to make numerous small changes, such as cleaning up garbage, mowing lawns and painting houses.

Community members can enjoy a safer neighborhood by being more involved with their local police.

This involvement can include partnerships and assistance via neighborhood watches and town hall meetings. Residents should be able to report crimes directly to police without fear of being investigated themselves. Those who do not feel comfortable doing so can benefit from the establishment of phone trees or indirect reporting, which can protect individuals' identities.

By living close to work you can walk or bike to work, which is much healthier than driving and saves you money.

In-home preventative healthcare programs based within apartment buildings help seniors lead healthier, happier lives by treating medical conditions and providing diet and exercise plans.

These programs also save state budgets millions of dollars in healthcare costs by cutting down on major medical expenses such as ER visits

Grocery stores provide more food options and varieties of fruits and vegetables at better prices than corner stores, keeping you and your family eating healthy.

Stable, affordable housing decreases moving within the same city (sometimes called "churning").

With less churning, students are better positioned to thrive in their schools.

Your neighborhood influences your children’s education almost as much as the school they attend.

Of course, teacher expertise, school resources and student support services all contribute too, but so does your neighborhood. A better community usually means better grades and better graduation rates.

People who take public transportation often get the daily recommended 30 minutes of exercise simply by walking to and from bus stops and train stations.

Experts have found that parks serve as an important setting for more social interaction, which increases trust, cooperation and the overall health of all residents.

Now you know: where you live is
more important than you think.