A House is Not a Home: Effect of Eminent Domain Abuse on the Poor, African Americans, and the Elderly

Abstract

Since the mid 1950’s, there has been a notable trend toward using eminent domain for private gain across the country, and numerous cases have been documented in the popular press. However, there are very few published empirical studies on the impact of eminent domain for private gain. Our study adds to this body of literature by testing the hypothesis that eminent domain for private redevelopment abuses the private property rights of society’s most vulnerable citizens. The results of this study suggest that the poor, African American, and perhaps the elderly are more negatively impacted by private takings for private gain.

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Notes on contributors

Sandra Phillips

Sandra Phillips is Assistant Professor at Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Marion R. Sillah

Marion Sillah is Associate Professor at South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC.