The role of neighborhood social networks in scattered‐site public housing residents’ search for jobs

Abstract

In theory, housing poor families in the suburbs among those who are not poor can provide better housing options and help families connect with economic and social opportunities. Social networks are vital links to larger social systems and the neighborhood networks of low‐income people may thus influence their access to opportunity. Does living in small clusters of public housing in a nonpoor area instead of in a dispersed housing pattern influence the types of social ties poor people use when they look for jobs?

Dispersed residents have neighborhood social networks that contain greater diversity, so therefore they have greater access to diverse sources of information. Dispersed residents, however, use their neighbors less frequently when they look for a job than clustered residents do. Implications for theory, policy, and practice are discussed.

Keywords:

• Low‐income housing
• Neighborhood
• Public housing