The Organizational Strengths and Weaknesses of Resident-Managed Public Housing Sites in the United States

ABSTRACT:

The federal government has initiated an effort to encourage public housing residents to manage and own their developments. Notwithstanding the public attention resident management has received, there has been little research dealing with this subject. Reviewed in this article are the experiences of 11 developments that have resident management or whose residents would like to have it. Four major findings are discussed: (1) good housing authority and tenant relations do not necessarily produce effective resident management corporations (RMCs); (2) a few strong resident leaders do not produce effective RMCs; (3) sites with good ties to outside institutions are likely to fare better; and (4) sites with good community organizations tend to have more effective RMCs.