How Housing Evaluations Affect Participation in a Housing Allowance Program. Housing Assistance Supply Experiment

摘要

This report analyzes participants' failure to comply with housing standards in an experimental housing allowance program conducted from 1974 to 1979 in Brown County, Wis., and St. Joseph County, Ind. Low - income renters and homeowners were offered a monthly cash payment if they occupied dwellings that met program standards regarding space, domestic equipment, and conditions affecting health and safety. This comparison of households who failed these standards with those who passed found that the following characteristics increased the probability of failure: nonwhite head of household, nonelderly head of household, large family, children present, and a very low income. Among those who failed, about 80 percent either repaired the dwelling or moved to an acceptable one, while 20 percent left the program. Termination rates tended to be higher for participants who received small payments and whose dwellings were overcrowded or needed extensive repairs. The estimated cost of repairs influenced enrollees' decisions less than did the number and types of items needing repair. A fourth of the participants in Brown County and a third in St. Joseph County who qualified originally failed subsequent annual evaluations, but only one - eighth of this group responded by terminating their enrollment. Both the expected financial benefits and expected repair or moving costs influenced the decision to enroll. Participation rates in a housing allowance program could be raised by increasing program benefits and relaxing some standards, particularly those relating to overcrowding and lead - based paint hazards. Tables and 15 references are included.