Victoria Basolo

Neighborhood Physical Conditions and Health

OBJECTIVES We explored the relationship between boarded-up housing and rates of gonorrhea and premature mortality. METHODS In this ecological study of 107 US cities, we developed several models predicting rates of gonorrhea and premature death before age 65 from all causes and from specific causes. We controlled for race, poverty, education, population change, and health insurance coverage. RESULTS Boarded-up housing remained a predictor of gonorrhea rates, all-cause premature mortality, and premature mortality due to malignant neoplasms, diabetes, homicide, and suicide after control for sociodemographic factors. CONCLUSIONS Boarded-up housing may be related to mortality risk because of its potential adverse impact on social relationships and opportunities to engage in healthful behaviors. Neighborhood physical conditions deserve further consideration as a potential global factor influencing health and well-being.

Long-Term Effects of Homeownership on the Self-Perceptions and Social Interaction of Low-Income Persons

A variety of public, private and non-profit organizations have developed programs to assist low-income families purchase homes. These programs are often justified on the grounds that homeownership has a number of social and-psychological benefits. On the individual level, homeowners are said to enjoy higher social status and self-esteem, increased sense of control, and higher levels of life satisfaction. On the societal level, homeowners are said to have higher rates of participation in voluntary organizations and local social interaction. The longitudinal research described in this article assesses the validity of these claims by comparing changes in self esteem, perceived control, life satisfaction and social interaction between a group of low-income home buyers and a demographically similar group of continuing renters. The results show that home ownership has a positive and significant impact on both the life satisfaction and participation in neighborhood and block association meetings. Home ownership, however, was not found to significantly affect self-esteem, perceived control or informal social interaction in the local area.

Does mobility matter? The neighborhood conditions of housing voucher holders by race and ethnicity

Abstract Mobility is one mechanism used to address the federal goals of deconcen‐trating poverty and minorities. The Housing Choice Voucher Program relies on participants to make residential location decisions consistent with these goals. Our research investigates the level and impact of mobility on the neighborhood quality of voucher holders, their neighborhood conditions by race and ethnicity, and perceived obstacles to mobility within the jurisdiction of a Southern California housing authority. About one‐third of the sample moved during the study, and moving resulted in improved neighborhoods for only one subset of movers. Minorities live in more impoverished, overcrowded neighborhoods than nonminorities, even when controlling for mobility status, contract rent, and other factors. Further, most voucher holders see the lack of rental units as a major obstacle to mobility. These findings suggest that current policy is not uniformly achieving deconcentration and that real and perceived barriers to mobility exist, especially for minorities.

Understanding the neighborhood: From residents’ perceptions and needs to action

Abstract Community development corporations (CDCs) frequently serve as champions for inner‐city low‐income neighborhoods and strive to revitalize these neighborhoods and develop programs for residents. To better serve their target community CDCs will often team with researchers to study a neighborhood and gather information directly from residents. This article presents the results of a collaborative, comprehensive study conducted by a CDC in New Orleans, together with university researchers. We collected data from multiple sources, including a random sample of residents, a resident focus group, a survey of the physical condition of housing, published materials, and interviews with CDC staff and board members. Results indicate that for this neighborhood, housing conditions and safety are important explanations of neighborhood satisfaction and that neighborhood satisfaction is a key predictor of housing satisfaction. We discuss the application of these results to the CDCs revitalization efforts and conclude with the contributions of this research to scholarship and practice.

City Spending on Economic Development Versus Affordable Housing: Does Inter‐City Competition or Local Politics Drive Decisions?

Public choice theory predicts that interjurisdictional competition and the need for a strong tax base severely limit local policy making. City decision makers must pursue developmental or economically advantageous policies such as economic development initiatives and avoid redistributive or fiscally harmful policies such as affordable housing programs. Many social scientists object to the deterministic argument of public choice theory and emphasize the importance of politics in the policy making process. Using regression analysis, I investigate the factors that influence cities to pursue a limited strategy as predicted by public choice theory versus a balanced or more progressive approach favoring affordable housing programs over economic development programs. The results show that inter-city competition increases the likelihood cities will pursue a limited strategy versus a balanced or more progressive approach. However, political variables also influence local policy decisions. In fact, this analysis indicates that political factors are more important than inter-city competition in explaining city policy choices.

Obstacles to Regional Housing Solutions: A Comparison of Four Metropolitan Areas

ABSTRACT: Studies of regionalism continue to appear in the scholarly literature. Research specifically on regional housing policies, however, appears far less frequently, most likely a reflection of the absence of regional housing initiatives in practice. Two leading explanations for the lack of regional housing solutions include: 1) intercity competition as asserted by public choice theorists; and 2) NIMBY attitudes expressed by community residents. This research uses a multiple case study design to examine the development of regionalism, and the status of regional housing efforts, in the Portland, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Louisville, and New Orleans metropolitan areas. We examine the public choice and NIMBY explanations as well as other factors emerging from the research as obstacles to regional housing solutions. The results indicate that regionalism varies in degree across the four study areas. However, in all cases, regional housing solutions are either absent or ineffective. Our data do not strongly support the public choice hypothesis, but do provide evidence that NIMBY attitudes about race and growth are barriers to regional housing policies. Furthermore, context-specific circumstances, such as population characteristics and health of the regional economy, result in dominance of economic development in approaches to regionalism. The article concludes with implications based on the findings.

The Tenure Trap The Vulnerability of Renters to Joint Natural and Technological Disasters

Natural disasters can result in releases of toxic materials that pose a grave threat to populations exposed to them. The authors provide evidence from California and Louisiana to show that in comparison with homeowners, renters are significantly less well prepared to survive a joint naturaland technologicaldisaster without injury. Rentalhousing can be targeted for public awareness and other measures that can improve the preparedness of tenants, but barriers that inhibit progress are substantial. Nevertheless, with a carefully crafted plan of action based on a variety of policy instruments, the tenure trap can be disabled.

Cities and Economic Development: Does the City Limits Story Still Apply?

The dominant explanation for city policy choices over the past two decades has been the city limits story. This scenario represents the application of public choice theory to local policy making. Theorists argue that rational self-interest by cities compels local elected officials to favor developmental policies and compete with other jurisdictions. Inefficient economic development outcomes and evolving trends in the practice of economic development prompt a reevaluation of the city limits story as the primary explanation for economic development policies. This research investigates the influence of intercity competition and other factors on the support for economic development by cities. Results from regression analyses using data from a sample survey of U.S. local economic development professionals reveal virtually no support for the city limits story. However, the population needs within cities, the support of elected officials, and the existence of formal economic development planning did influence support for economic development.

Opposition to Affordable Housing in the USA: Debate Framing and the Responses of Local Actors

Abstract This article investigates the framing of affordable housing by opponents and responses to this framing by local housing actors in the USA. We use a social construction approach to explore how conceptualizations of race/ethnicity, class and immigration shape opponents views and cast affordable housing tenants as deviant and undeserving, making them undesirable neighbours. Our study finds that affordable housing opposition and the process of framing results in: changes to development designs and siting decisions based on least resistance, rather than sound planning and decision-making, thereby directing affordable housing projects to particular jurisdictions, new development areas or concentrated poor neighbourhoods.

State innovations in affordable housing policy: Lessons from California and New Jersey

Abstract Decades of diminishing federal leadership and support for affordable housing policy have opened up a gap in public response to housing needs. Filling this gap is critical if the long‐held goal of decent (and affordable) housing for every American is to be honored and communities are to thrive. This article investigates state governments in an era of federal retreat by examining the factors associated with innovations in housing policy in California and New Jersey, two reputed leaders in state housing policy. We collected data through interviews with key informants, as well as from meetings, reports, public documents, agency records, and other secondary sources. Our analysis indicates that state innovations in housing policy are influenced by bureaucratic (internal) factors, such as funding and agency structure, and by environmental (external) factors, such as local autonomy and interest group activity. We conclude with the policy and research implications of our findings.