Evaluation of Relocation Services, Current Housing, and Living Conditions of Residents In A Hope VI Program

Fred Brooks
School of Social Work
Georgia State University
University Plaza
Atlanta GA 30303
USA
Phone: 404-651-0424
FAX: 404-651-1863
Email: fbrooks2@gsu.edu
 
Purpose:  Hope VI  programs target dilapidated public housing projects, relocate residents, demolish the old project, use federal money to leverage private investment, rebuild modern apartments and leases them as mixed-income communities. The goal of Hope VI is to revitalize public housing and improve the socioeconomic status of public housing residents. This Study describes the housing, economic, and neighborhood conditions of public housing residents two years after initial relocation in a Hope VI project.

Method: Paper presents results of 10 focus groups (N=93) from the first wave of data collection on a four-year longitudinal study. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected. Focus group questions asked respondents to evaluate the relocation services offered by the housing authority, describe their current housing, neighborhood, and economic conditions. Respondents also described the biggest impact relocation has had on them and their children. Quantitative instruments had respondents compare their current housing to their housing in the now demolished project.

Results: Former residents relocated via the Housing Choice program (n = 61, formerly called Section VIII) were faring much better than residents relocated to other public housing complexes (n = 32).  Housing Choice respondents were significantly more likely than public housing residents to state their current housing, neighborhood, physical health, and overall living situation was improved compared to when they were living in the now demolished project. Many Housing Choice respondents attributed positive behavioral changes such as more will power, improved fiscal responsibility, or getting into recovery for alcohol/drug problems to relocation from public housing.

Implications: Hope VI projects should make efforts to provide Housing Choice vouchers to as many residents who choose them for relocation assistance.