Understanding Health in Multifamily Development: Exploring the Conceptualization and Implementation of Health Strategies in Market-Rate Multifamily Projects

Traci Rose Rider (North Carolina State University)
Margaret van Bakergem (North Carolina State University)
Jinoh Park (North Carolina State University)
Xi Wang (North Carolina State University)
James Aaron Hipp (North Carolina State University)

As understanding of the built environment’s relationship to individual and community health spreads through design and construction, stakeholders are increasingly engaging in conversations of strategies and metrics. Despite a forecasted increase of an additional 4.4 million units by 2025 in multifamily housing (Freddie Mac 2016), these developers are some of the last stakeholders to join in conversations about health. This presentation reviews the structure, methodology and findings of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-supported research addressing how multifamily developers conceptualize, discuss and implement health strategies.

This research uses Critical Theory and a comparative case study methodology addressing how and why (Yin 2017), engaging five developers positioned as early adopters to better understand how they each conceptualize, implement and measure health strategies in their multifamily projects. In-depth interviews were held, addressing standard design and decision-making processes and specific consideration of various health strategies. Cyclical data collection, transcription, and analysis, along with site visits, web site analysis, and clicks through national online real estate databases also contributed to a holistic perspective of this complex problem. Findings indicate that multifamily developers are focusing on upfront, marketable strategies that are likely to foster mental and social health, but with little regard of applying any form of evaluative metrics. When asked directly about choices to influence health of residents, participants heavily cited (1) location, emphasizing access to community amenities; (2) place making, for community building and social and mental wellbeing; and (3) physical fitness opportunities through fitness spaces. Even those developers viewed as early adopters are uncomfortable discussing health strategies using a public health lens. This research highlights interdisciplinary conversations around health in multifamily real estate, advocating for a more rigorous adoption of health strategies. These findings can inform stakeholders in design, development, private investment, property management, public health, community design, and policy.