Role of Landlords in Creating Healthy Homes: Section 8 Landlord Perspectives on Healthy Housing Practices.
OBJECTIVE
This article presents qualitative research findings of Section 8 landlord perceptions regarding healthy housing practices to inform landlord-focused initiatives. Approach or Design: Five focus groups were conducted with landlords.


METHODS
Boston, Massachusetts.


METHODS
Section 8 landlords participated in focus groups (n = 39).


METHODS
Focus group transcripts were coded for key themes using a grounded theory approach.


RESULTS
Landlords' primary challenges to creating a healthy housing environment included tenant behavior, financial burden, and policy enforcement; tenant safety and cost savings were seen as primary benefits.


CONCLUSIONS
Landlords play a critical role in implementing healthy housing practices. Several opportunities exist to reduce barriers and capitalize on perceived benefits of implementing these practices, including increasing access to educational and financial resources.
1 Research and Evaluation, Health Resources in Action, Inc, Boston, MA, USA.
Valerie L
VL
Polletta
2 Division of Healthy Homes and Community Support, Boston Public Health Commission, Boston, MA, USA.
Margaret
M
Reid
2 Division of Healthy Homes and Community Support, Boston Public Health Commission, Boston, MA, USA.
Eugene
E
Barros
1 Research and Evaluation, Health Resources in Action, Inc, Boston, MA, USA.
Catherine
C
Duarte
3 Inspectional Services, Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership, Boston, MA, USA.
Kevin
K
Donaher
3 Inspectional Services, Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership, Boston, MA, USA.
Howard
H
Wensley
1 Research and Evaluation, Health Resources in Action, Inc, Boston, MA, USA.
Lisa
L
Wolff
D001900:Boston; D017144:Focus Groups; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006798:Housing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D024382:Professional Role; D036301:Qualitative Research
environmental health; housing; qualitative research