This series of seven research briefs finds that nearly a decade after the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) started to relocate families from the distressed Madden/Wells community, most former residents live in better housing and safer neighborhoods and report lower levels of anxiety. But poor health—marked by high rates of chronic physical and mental health problems—is keeping many out of the workforce. Overall, the findings suggest that it has been easier to improve public housing residents’ quality of life than to undo the damage that years of living in a dangerous, stressful environment has done to their health. The CHA’s Plan for Transformation: How Have Residents Fared?
Susan J. Popkin, Diane K. Levy, Larry Buron, Megan Gallagher, David J. Price This overview presents findings from the Chicago Panel Study, a follow up to the Urban Institute’s five-site HOPE VI Panel Study, to assess how the residents are faring as the Plan for Transformation progresses. We find that after 10 years, the story for CHA families is far more positive than many observers—including ourselves— would have predicted at the outset. Regardless of where they have moved, most families in our study are living in considerably better circumstances. However, the study also highlights the serious challenges that remain, most significantly, residents’ extremely poor health and persistently low rates of employment. CHA After Wells – Where are the Residents Now?
Larry Buron and Susan J. Popkin Eight years after the Madden/Wells redevelopment started, this brief presents what has happened to the original residents, including the type of housing assistance they received and where they lived in 2009. Despite a number of challenges, we found that by 2009, all of the residents had relocated and nearly one in five former Madden/Wells residents was living in a new mixed-income housing development. Most of the former Madden/Wells residents reported that their current housing and neighborhood was better than Madden/Wells. However, only a minority lived in economically or racially diverse neighborhoods that offer real opportunities for themselves and their children. Transformed Housing – Major Improvements in the CHA Residents’ Quality of Life
Larry Buron and Susan J. Popkin One of the primary goals of the Plan for Transformation was to provide an improved living environment for residents of severely distressed public housing. This brief reports on the longer-term housing quality outcomes for Madden/ Wells residents. Overall, we find that housing quality has now improved substantially for CHA residents across the board. These differences are profound and represent a significant improvement in the quality of life for CHA’s residents. Escaping the Hidden War- Safety is the Biggest Gain for CHA Families
Susan J. Popkin and David J. Price In 1999, when the Chicago Housing Authority’s (CHA) Plan for Transformation began, the agency’s housing developments were notorious for being among the most dangerous places in the nation. This brief explores whether the safety gains for early relocates have been sustained and whether those who moved later have benefited equally— because these residents tended to be among the most vulnerable, there was good reason to think that they would not fare as well. We find that almost all former residents are now living in safer conditions and that improved safety and quality of life has been the greatest benefit. CHA Transformation – Children and Youth
Megan Gallagher Child outcomes have been a special focus for the HOPE VI Panel Study since the baseline study in 2001. On one hand, children are the most likely to benefit in important ways from improved housing quality such as exposure to lead paint or mold. On the other hand, moving can disrupt their education and friendships and put older youth at risk for conflict with local gangs. This brief examines how relocation has affected the well-being of the youngest former Madden/Wells residents. We find that these youth are doing relatively well; however, there are some reasons for concern, especially for boys. The Health Crisis for CHA Families
David J. Price and Susan J. Popkin The HOPE VI Panel Study research has highlighted that many residents of distressed public housing face severe health challenges. Our research shows that respondents’ well-being has improved in important ways—they now live in housing that is substantially higher-quality and in neighborhoods that are dramatically safer. However, in this brief, we present findings that show that despite these improvements, respondents’ health has continued to deteriorate rapidly; the level of reported health problems in 2009 are stunning, and the mortality rate is shockingly high. The Limits of Relocation - Employment and Family Well-Being Among Former Madden/ Wells Residents
Diane K. Levy Despite many gains in quality of life standards, the HOPE VI program and related efforts have been less successful in helping residents move toward self-sufficiency. In recent years, the CHA has increased its efforts to promote self-sufficiency for its residents, through both its FamilyWorks case management services and Opportunity Chicago, connecting residents to the labor force. In this brief, we explore what has happened to Madden/Wells respondents’ economic status since 2009. Our analysis indicates that although employment rates have not increased, respondents have experienced some gains in economic well-being. However, respondents continue to face considerable economic hardship.
The Chicago Panel Study is a follow up to the Urban Institute’s five-site HOPE VI Panel Study, the only national study of outcomes for families affected by HOPE VI revitalization. The HOPE VI Panel Study tracked resident outcomes across a broad range of domains from 2001 to 2005. The Chicago Panel Study is continuing to track the 198 sample households from the Chicago Housing Authority’s (CHA) Madden/Wells Homes to assess how they are faring as the Plan for Transformation progresses. | 
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