Severe Housing-Cost Burden and Low-Income Young Children's Exposure to Adverse Experiences: A Cross-Sectional Survey of WIC Participants in Los Angeles County.

OBJECTIVE: Substantial literature has documented adverse childhood experiences' (ACEs) link with poor health in childhood and adulthood. Despite many American low-income families spending more than a third of their income toward housing costs, little research has been published about a link between severe housing-cost burden and ACEs. The objective of this study was to examine the association of severe housing-cost burden to the ACEs to which young, low-income children are exposed.

METHODS: Participants were 2-5-year-olds who participated in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in Los Angeles County. We used data from the 2017 Los Angeles County WIC Survey, a survey of a random sample of all WIC participants living in Los Angeles County. Separate multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association of severe housing-cost burden (very difficult to pay for housing) with the ACEs of financial hardship (household food insecurity, extreme poverty, parent's unemployment and underemployment), household dysfunction (parent's poor mental well-being and parent's separation), housing insecurity (doubled up and residential instability), and parent's experience with homelessness.

RESULTS: Sixteen percent of children lived in severe housing-cost burdened households and 14% experienced at least 4 ACEs. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and social support, severe housing-cost burden was associated with an increase in the odds of each of the ACEs.

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: While further research is needed, findings highlight the need for policymakers to provide resources and support for housing-cost burdened children. Also, service providers should identify ACEs among housing cost-burdened children.