Changes in criminal justice involvement among renters in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties

Abstract

In the United States, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is the main way that the federal government subsidizes place-based housing for low-income individuals including those with experiences of homelessness. Although these communities are at risk of criminal justice involvement (CJI), the relationship between living in LIHTC housing and CJI remains underexplored. This study analyzed data on a retrospective cohort of LIHTC supportive housing residents to examine changes in CJI after move-in and how residents with CJI and without CJI after move-in differed. Compared to the time period before move-in, arrests, convictions, and time sentenced to confinement decreased significantly after move-in. Age, sex, and more extensive criminal history were significantly associated with CJI after move-in. Using negative binomial regression, increasing time in housing was associated with decreasing arrests, convictions, and time sentenced to confinement after move-in.

Keywords:

• Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
• supportive housing
• homelessness
• low-income
• criminal justice involvement

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the leadership, staff, and residents of New Hope Housing, Inc. (NHH) without whom this study would not be possible.

Disclosure statement

This research was funded by New Hope Housing, Inc. (NHH). NHH had no input on analysis or reporting of these results. The primary author has disclosed these interests fully to Taylor & Francis and has in place an approved plan for managing any potential conflicts arising from this arrangement. This work was also supported by the Health Professions Education Evaluation and Research (HPEER) fellowship, through the VA Office of Academic Affiliations Advanced Fellowships Program. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the HPEER program or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by New Hope Housing, Inc. This work was also supported by Health Professions Education Evaluation and Research fellowship through the VA Office of Academic Affiliations Advanced Fellowships Program (3HPECCD2020).

Notes on contributors

Laura Witte

Laura Witte, DrPH, MPH is an advanced postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the Health Professions Education Evaluation and Research and the National Center on Homelessness among Veterans fellowships. Her community-based research focuses on the health of veterans, LGBTQ+ communities, and individuals experiencing homelessness and incarceration.

Jack Tsai

Jack Tsai, PhD, MSCP serves as Campus Dean and Professor of Public Health at the UTHealth School of Public Health. He also serves as Research Director for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans and is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine. He has received federally funded grants and published over 200 peer-reviewed articles on topics related to homelessness, severe mental illness, trauma, and health disparities.

Paula Cuccaro

Paula Cuccaro, PhD is an Assistant Professor in Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences at the UTHealth School Public Health. Trained as a developmental psychologist, her primary research focus is adolescent health with a particular interest in improving health outcomes for vulnerable youth. Her work includes the development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of youth health interventions. She is currently conducting research on cancer prevention in medically underserved populations, healthy relationship development, mindfulness and health, and community and school-based interventions.

Andrea Link

Andrea Link, MD is Executive Director of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship of Houston Galveston at the John P. McGovern, MD, Center for Humanities & Ethics at UTHealth McGovern Medical School. She also serves on the Board of Directors for New Hope Housing and the YES Prep Charter School System. After several years as a pediatrician, she worked with incarcerated women and developed “Healthy and Whole,” a comprehensive trauma-informed health and wellness program for women exiting prostitution and human trafficking.

Vanessa Cox

Vanessa Cox, PhD, MS is a Principal Biostatistician at Allucent, an international drug development company. Throughout her career, she has conducted and contributed to research in clinical trial, academic, hospital, health care, and government settings. Skilled in epidemiology, biostatistics, clinical research, and data analysis and management, she has coauthored multiple peer-reviewed publications.

Vanessa Schick

Vanessa Schick, PhD is a social psychologist, associate professor at the UTHealth School of Public Health, and research fellow at the Kinsey Institute. Her community-based participatory research focuses on the needs of underserved populations including those with experiences in the criminal justice system, homelessness, or sex work. Much of her research also focuses on sexual and gender minority individuals. She has mentored over 50 graduate students and teaches graduate-level courses on health equity, cultural sensitivity, and survey design.