Housing Is a Human Right: How the Healthy Housing Foundation Is Reimagining Affordable Living

Across the United States, the affordable housing crisis is pushing more and more families and individuals into unsafe, unstable, or unhoused situations. At Safe Schools, we know that housing and education are deeply connected—students can’t thrive in classrooms when their families are struggling to keep a roof overhead. That’s why we’re highlighting the work of the Healthy Housing Foundation (HHF), a program of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), that’s tackling this crisis with urgency, creativity, and a bold vision: housing is a human right.

The Origins of HHF

Founded in 2017 by AHF, the Healthy Housing Foundation began as a direct response to the nation’s affordable housing shortage. AHF saw the housing crisis not just as an economic issue, but as a public health emergency—because without safe, stable housing, people cannot stay healthy, access education, or participate fully in their communities.

A Creative Solution: Adaptive Reuse

One of HHF’s most innovative strategies is adaptive reuse. Instead of building new structures that can take years and cost millions, HHF buys existing hotels or single-room occupancy (SRO) buildings and renovates them into affordable housing.

  • Faster: Renovations can be completed in months instead of years.
  • Cheaper: Costs average about $102,000 per unit, compared to nearly $600,000 per unit for city-funded new builds.
  • Smarter: This approach repurposes existing spaces, reduces waste, and moves people indoors quickly.

By financing these projects with 100% equity (rather than complicated tax credit systems), HHF avoids delays and keeps costs low—passing those savings on to residents.

HHF in Action: Projects Nationwide

Since its founding, HHF has created more than 1,900 housing units across multiple states, with another 1,100 in development. Here are just a few highlights:

  • Los Angeles, CA: Thirteen historic hotels transformed into affordable units, plus a new modular high-rise, the Renaissance Center, under construction on Skid Row.
  • Miami, FL: The Biscayne House, a 12-story high-rise near an AHF healthcare center, and the Stadium Hotel, now offering 217 private rooms for individuals and families in transition.
  • Fort Lauderdale, FL: Conversions like Broward Village Hotel and the Village at New River, which provide affordable housing with private bathrooms and appliances.
  • New York, Dallas, and Atlanta: Additional adaptive reuse projects offering dignified, affordable rooms with basic amenities, typically renting between $400 and $800 per month.

The Housing First Model

HHF follows a Housing First philosophy: the belief that the best way to address homelessness is to provide stable housing right away, without requiring people to meet strict conditions first.

This means:

  • Low barriers: People can move in quickly.
  • Security: A door that locks, privacy, and dignity.
  • Affordability: Rent prices that are truly within reach for very-low-income individuals.

While HHF does not directly provide on-site supportive services, it connects residents to outside providers, keeping the focus on getting people indoors as quickly as possible.

Advocacy and Community Action

Beyond buildings, HHF also advocates for systemic change through its campaign arm, Housing Is A Human Right (HHR). Their work includes:

  • 3 Ps Campaign: Protect tenants, preserve existing affordable housing, and produce new units.
  • Policy Advocacy: Supporting rent control measures like the Justice for Renters Act in California.
  • Community Visibility: Raising awareness through partnerships, marches, and even parade floats with the message: Housing is a Human Right.

Addressing Criticism

Like many ambitious programs, HHF has faced criticism. Journalists and tenant advocates have pointed to challenges with maintenance and the lack of on-site supportive services. HHF responds by emphasizing its core mission: providing safe, low-cost rooms quickly for those who would otherwise be on the street. As AHF leaders put it, we shouldn’t let “the perfect be the enemy of the good.”

Why This Matters

The Healthy Housing Foundation challenges us to think differently about the housing crisis. Instead of waiting years for expensive projects, HHF shows that with urgency, creativity, and commitment, we can provide immediate relief to thousands of people.

For Safe Schools, the message is clear: when families have stable housing, students can focus on learning, not survival. The fight for affordable housing is a fight for public health, for dignity, and for justice.

By: Rev. Dr. Harold Marrero
Chief Operating Officer

We encourage you to share this information with friends, fellow teachers, and allies and join us in bringing awareness to our efforts. Your support is essential for our ongoing work to create safe spaces for all students, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or expression. Please consider donating to Safe Schools so that we can continue advocating for inclusivity and diversity within the education system.