Public Housing Transformation and Crime: Making the Case for Responsible Relocation

• NCJ Number: 243330
• Author(s): Susan J. Popkin; Michael J. Rich; Leah Hendey; Chris Hayes; Joe Parilla
• Date Published: April 2012
• Length: 12 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; Annie E. Casey Foundation; Chicago Housing Authority
• Corporate Author: The Urban Institute
• Sale Source: The Urban Institute
• Publication Format: Document; Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis; Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This research examined whether relocating public-housing residents into private-market housing (using HOPE VI housing voucher grants) affected crime rates in Chicago and Atlanta.

Abstract

The study findings show that a substantial majority of neighborhoods in both cities were able to absorb public-housing relocation voucher households without any adverse effect on neighborhood conditions. The findings clearly indicate a much smaller impact of public-housing transformation on destination neighborhoods' crime rates than popular accounts imply. Still, the findings suggest that there are negative impacts for some neighborhoods when relocated households move into them. Using neighborhoods with at least one relocated household, the study defined four categories of relocated density: very low density areas had more than zero to two relocated households per 1,000; low density areas had more than 2 to 6; moderate density areas had more than 6 to 14; and areas with high density had more than 14 relocated households per 1,000. All other things being equal, gun-related crime in Chicago and both property and violent crime in Atlanta were not affected until a "moderate" density of relocated households was reached. A crucial policy implication from this research is the need for responsible relocation strategies, such as those used in both Chicago and Atlanta. Three main recommendations are offered in this report. First, provide comprehensive supportive services for relocated households before and after relocation. Second, provide counseling in order to ensure that residents are making informed choices about their housing and neighborhood options. Third, provide financial incentives to voucher holders and potential landlords in desirable areas, such as raising allowable fair-market rent levels there. Other types of strategies that HUD or local housing authorities should consider are also offered. Study methodology is described. 50 references, 20 notes, and 2 figures