What We Consider ‘Stable Housing’ and Why It’s Different for Everyone

The picture-perfect definition of “stable housing,” might include an apartment or home with a signed lease, a mailbox, maybe even a key on a ring. But for the people we serve at AHA, the definition of stability is a lot more personal and a lot more complicated.

In reality, stable housing isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s not just about having four walls and a roof. It’s about safety, consistency, affordability, accessibility, and whether that living situation supports a person’s mental and physical health. It’s about whether someone can stay there without fear of being displaced for long enough to build a life.

So what really counts as stable housing? The answer really depends on who you ask and what they’ve been through.

The Problem with a Strict Definition

There are plenty of official definitions for housing stability used in government programs and eligibility guidelines, but they don’t always reflect lived experiences.

For example, someone sleeping on a friend’s couch might technically be considered “housed,” even if they have to move every few days, live in overcrowded conditions, or feel unsafe. A person in a month-to-month motel might not be considered homeless by some systems, but they may be just one missed paycheck away from being on the street.

That’s why, at AHA, we meet people where they are. We recognize that what looks like progress on paper may still feel incredibly unstable in real life.

Why What We Call ‘Stable Housing’  Matters

A key part of stable housing is whether a person can afford to stay long-term. That includes:

• Predictable rent or mortgage payments

• Utilities that don’t break the budget

• A location that doesn’t require expensive transportation just to access work, school, or care

Many people in Southern California live in housing they can’t comfortably afford, which puts them at constant risk of eviction. If you’re making tradeoffs between rent and groceries every month, the stress can be overwhelming and it’s not a sustainable foundation.

Here’s something we often explain to clients and partners: what counts as stable today might not be stable forever. And that’s okay.

For example, transitional housing can offer critical support for someone exiting homelessness or incarceration. A shared apartment with roommates may be a good fit for someone newly sober and reentering the workforce. A temporary stay in a motel might be the safest option for someone escaping abuse.

These might not be long-term solutions, but they’re meaningful stepping stones. Progress doesn’t always look like permanence. Sometimes stability is a gradual build.

When we think of housing as all-or-nothing, meaning someone is either stably housed or they’re not, we miss all the gray areas in between, and that’s where a lot of the people we serve fit in.

At AHA, we don’t wait until someone meets a perfect definition of “housing ready” to support them. We understand that the road to stability is full of starts and stops, shifts and changes. Some clients may cycle through multiple housing situations before landing somewhere they can truly call home.

That’s why we stay flexible. We assess each situation individually, work with clients on realistic goals, and adapt support as needs evolve.

Every housing journey is different. That’s why AHA offers a range of services to meet people where they are and walk with them to where they want to go.

We support individuals and families through:

• Housing navigation to help identify viable options

• Assistance with paperwork, applications, and documentation

• Referrals for health care, mental health, legal aid, and more

• Ongoing tenancy support once housing is secured

• Help addressing barriers like transportation, food insecurity, or job loss

We also work with health plans and community partners to ensure clients aren’t just placed, but supported long-term.

Because at the end of the day, housing is a beginning, not an endpoint.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that stable housing can’t be defined by a checkbox. It has to be defined by the people living it.

So when someone tells us what feels stable to them, we listen and we take that seriously,  because real support begins with understanding.

At AHA, we’re here to make housing stability possible, sustainable, and personal. Contact us today if you need housing help in Los Angeles or Orange Counties.