Moved to Opportunity: The Long-Run Effects of Public Housing Demolition on Children
This is a paper in the Economic Impacts of Public Housing literature.
Citation
Objective
To understand the effect of public housing vs housing vouchers on children's outcomes using public housing demolitions in Chicago
Contribution
Only other study on the effect of public housing demolitions on former residents is Brian Jacob's 2004 paper on short-run academic outcomes. This is first on longer-run outcomes
Background
During the 90s the Chicago Housing Authority provided services to 5% of the city's population and owned 17 housing developments for families
Buildings were chosen for demolition due to acute issues or by those with the most severe maintenance issues
Data & Key Variables
CHA building records. Illinois social assistance core files. Unemployment insurance records 1995-2009 (earnings, employment). Arrest records
Buildings demolished due to 1995-1998 HOPE VI grants - 53 buildings over 7 projects. 20 demolished & 33 control buildings
Methodology
Compares displaced and non-displaced children from the same public housing development
Findings
Displaced children are 9% more likely to be employed as adults than non-displaced children and have 16% higher earnings. They are also 14% less likely to have a violent crime arrest and are less likely to drop out of high school
