Owning boosts children’s grades, study finds

Parents who own their own home may be helping to boost their children’s education and even reduce behavioral problems, according to a new nationwide study.

The research showed that for children living in owned homes rather than rental units, math achievement scores are up to 9% higher, reading achievement is up to 7% higher and behavioral problems are 1% to 3% lower.

These results held true after the researchers took into account factors that may have influenced the findings, such as homeowners earning more and having higher levels of education than renters.

“Homeownership itself is good for children,” said Donald Haurin, co-author of the study and professor of economics at Ohio State University. He conducted the study with R. Jean Haurin, a retired research scientist at Ohio State, and Toby Parcel, a former sociology professor at Ohio State.

The results appear in the current issue of Real Estate Economics. The study involved 1,026 children who were 5 to 8 years old in 1988 and included surveys of the children’s parents in 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1994.

Owning a home, compared with renting, leads to a 13% to 23% higher-quality home environment. Homeowners tend to stay in one place longer than renters and invest in neighborhood and community relationships that may enhance a child’s development.

Haurin said the study shows the value in federal tax codes and programs that promote homeownership. “The government should target homeowner tax relief to families who have young children so these children can benefit,” he said.