Moving On: Benefits and Challenges of HOPE VI for Children

The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy of public consideration. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders.

The text below is an excerpt from the complete document. Read the full brief in PDF format, or view a summary of the seven briefs in this series.

Abstract

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of HOPE VI relocation. While they are the most likely to benefit in important ways from improved housing quality—and reduced exposure to risks like lead paint or mold—and from safer, less distressed neighborhoods, moving can disrupt their education and friendships and even put older youth at risk for conflict with local gangs. Where they moved was also significant. Children whose families moved to the private market with vouchers are doing better, while those whose families moved to other traditional public housing are not faring as well. Girls, in particular, are suffering from the ill effects of being left behind in developments that are becoming increasingly dangerous and chaotic as vacancies increase.

Introduction

The HOPE VI program targets the most distressed and dilapidated public housing for demolition and redevelopment, requiring the relocation of the original residents to new HOPE VI sites, homes in the private market, and other public housing (see text box on page 9). Amajor goal for the program is to provide an improved living environment for residents; since relatively few residents move back, this improvement has to be accomplished primarily through relocation. HOPE VI is now up for reauthorization, making this an ideal time to assess how effectively it has achieved its goals.

The HOPE VI Panel Study has tracked the well-being of families at five sites around the country as they have made these transitions, surveying them before relocation in 2001 and again in 2003 and 2005 (see text box on page 9). In this brief, we examine the well-being of the youngest and most vulnerable HOPE VI residents—the children. Most original residents have school-age children who have spent a large portion of their lives in some of the most unsafe developments in the country. These environments increase the likelihood of health issues, developmental delays, and behavior problems already faced by poor children (Brooks-Gunn and Duncan 1997). Safer neighborhoods and higher-quality homes can influence the mental and physical health of children (Leventhal and Brooks-Gunn 2000). Although moving can be difficult for children (Hartman 2002; Scanlon and Devine 2001), the HOPE VI program may improve children's health and well-being if it improves the living conditions of residents and moves families in the least disruptive ways.

At the first follow-up in 2003, we found that children who had relocated between 2001 and 2003 experienced various improvements within those two years, particularly in safety (Popkin, Eiseman, and Cove 2004). We also reported improvements in behavior for children of voucher holders and residents in the original development, and declines in behavior for those who moved to other public housing. In particular, the prevalence of negative and delinquent behaviors decreased among boys whose families received vouchers and increased among boys who were still living in their original public housing developments. Since that time, more families have moved, and early movers have had time to adjust to their new homes and neighborhoods and possibly make subsequent moves.

(End of excerpt. The complete brief is available in PDF format.)

The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy of public consideration. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders.

Usage, posting and reprint of materials on the UI web site:

Most publications may be downloaded free of charge from the web site in PDF format. This information may be used and copies made for research, academic, policy or other non-commercial purposes. Proper attribution is required.

Copyright of the written materials contained within the Urban Institute website is owned or controlled by the Urban Institute. Posting UI research papers on other websites is permitted subject to prior approval from the Urban Institute—contact paffairs@urban.org.

If you are unable to access or print the PDF document please contact us or call the Publications Office at (202) 261-5687.