URBAN INSTITUTE Has HOPE VI Transformed Residents Lives? Findings from the HOPE VI Panel Study Susan J. Popkin, Principal Investigator March 16, 2011

URBAN INSTITUTE The HOPE VI Panel Study Tracked the living conditions and well-being of residents from five HOPE VI sites. Residents were surveyed three times: 2001, 2003, and 2005 –Shore Park/Shore TerraceAtlantic City, NJ –Wells/MaddenChicago, IL –Few GardensDurham, NC –Easter HillRichmond, CA –East Capitol DwellingsWashington, D.C.

URBAN INSTITUTE Sample Characteristics Majority are African-American, single female heads of households Extremely low-income –Employment rates low (22% full-time, 17% part-time) –Only half graduated high school 75% have children; 42% have children under 6 Approximately 10% are 62 and older

URBAN INSTITUTE Relocation Outcomes, 2005

URBAN INSTITUTE Vouchers Holders Benefited in Many Ways Improvements in housing quality –70% reported that their current housing was better than their housing at baseline Safer, less poor neighborhoods –At baseline, 79 percent of voucher holders reported big problems with drug trafficking, compared to 16 percent in Improvements in mental health. –Voucher holders saw significant decreases in anxiety episodes between baseline and final evaluation.

URBAN INSTITUTE HOPE VI Did Not Affect Employment

URBAN INSTITUTE Poor Health is the Biggest Challenge Just 59% report excellent or good health, strong predictor of morbidity (disease) and mortality. Very high rates of arthritis, asthma, obesity, depression, diabetes, hypertension, and stroke ; –For every condition except obesity, HOPE VI sample rate is twice that of comparable national average (African American women ) Mortality rates are extremely high

URBAN INSTITUTE CHA Panel Results, 2009 Surveyed just Chicago families in the summer of Residents saw improvements across many domains –Improved housing quality—few housing problems, even in public housing –Dramatic improvements in safety—less than 1 in 5 report serious problems –Significant reductions in anxiety and worry. Physical Heath continued to deteriorate –Increased levels of chronic conditions and disability –Shocking mortality levels, 14% of Chicago residents were deceased by 2009

URBAN INSTITUTE Conclusions: Most Residents Are Better Off For private market and mixed-income movers, HOPE VI has more than met the goal of providing an improved living environment Those who remain in traditional public housing have not realized same benefits The problem of the hard to house requires a different approach

URBAN INSTITUTE HOPE VI Is Not the Solution for the “Hard to House” The Chicago Family Case Management Demonstration –Informed by lessons from the HOPE VI Panel Study. –Enhanced supportive services for all residents in two CHA developments with hope of assisting most vulnerable households. –The Demonstration ran from 2007 through 2010 IN 2 CHA developments. –Comprehensive evaluation

URBAN INSTITUTE The Chicago Family Case Management Demonstration Success Succeeded in implementing wrap-around services, improved outcomes for families –Higher quality housing, safer neighborhoods –Employment gains –Overall physical remained stable, reductions in anxiety and worry. There is still need for improvement –Mortality rates were shockingly high. –Did not improve outcomes for children and youth

URBAN INSTITUTE Moving Forward Long Term Outcomes Study –Will survey Demonstration and CHA families in the summer of Housing Opportunities and Services Together (HOST) –Test different models using housing as a platform for services for vulnerable families –Range out housing settings –Inform next generation of housing policy