![Sample our Urban Studies journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110826/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Urban-Studies.jpg"})
Abstract
During the past two decades, the delivery of community-based human services for the mentally i l l , physically disabled, elderly, and other service-dependent population groups became more prevalent than treatment in large-scale institutions. Because of the need for community-based services and their clients to be close together, and because of restrictions on their location choice due to economic constraints and community opposition, service-dependent population ghettos developed in many inner cities. Recently, however, shifting urban economic growth patterns, local land-use policies that limit housing construction, and cuts in public social program funds are leading to the decline of these ghettos in some cities. Using a case study of Santa Clara County, California, this article delineates the forces underlying development and now decline of a service-dependent population ghetto. Ghetto decline may create serious problems for service-dependent populations which need to be addressed by policy makers and planners before these problems become worse.
