Designing Hope: Rationales of Mixed-Income Housing Policy

ABSTRACT:

Rationales used to legitimize forced dispersal and mixed-income housing policies are socially constructed based on assumptions about concentrated poverty. This study evaluates qualitative data on public housing residents who were in the process of being dispersed as part of a HOPE VI program in order to examine their thoughts about their original home and neighborhood. Residents’ thoughts about their neighborhood are compared to policy rationales. Results indicate that current policy rationales are mostly in line with the goals and motivation of the city but are largely incongruent with the perceptions residents have of their pre-relocation home and neighborhood. The article concludes with policy recommendations for increasing and incorporating residents’ views into policy design.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joanna Lucio

Joanna Lucio is an assistant professor in the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University. Her work explores how urban governance and policy impacts the spatial integration of diverse groups in our society including: how the rights of low income residents are limited or enhanced by housing dispersal policies, how immigrants and low income residents are accepted in the public realm, how the construction of citizenship is tied to rights, and how urban revitalization can hinder or enhance efforts at affordable housing.

Laura Hand

Laura Hand is a doctoral candidate in the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University. Her research explores the process of interaction between social policy and individuals contributing to the co-production of the policy.

Flavio Marsiglia

Flavio Marsiglia is the Distinguished Foundation Professor of Cultural Diversity and Health and Director of the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center at Arizona State University. His research interests include: minority and health disparities, drug abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention, and culturally grounded social work practice.