Now Available
The American Housing
Survey National Micro Data for 1997
To order the CD-ROM for $15,
contact HUD USER or use
the order form.
Additional information can be found on
the Internet at https://www.huduser.gov.
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The impact of affordable and special needs housing on neighborhoods is
an often-debated topic. The Impacts of Supportive Housing on Neighborhoods and Neighbors: Final Report adds to the growing body of evidence indicating that subsidized housing can have a benign or even positive impact on a neighborhood when public education and other "community entrée" strategies are combined with careful siting and property management.
Supportive housing refers to programs designed to provide supportive services in conjunction with some form of housing assistance—small group homes,
larger institutions, or apartment-based living. Resident clients are typically
persons with physical disabilities, the mentally ill, or those with developmental disabilities.
Researchers examined neighborhoods with supportive housing developments in Denver, Colorado, to determine whether these facilities significantly impact the sales prices of single-family homes or the rate of reported crime in the neighborhood. The researchers examined home sales and crime data and conducted nine focus groups with residents of Denver neighborhoods in which supportive housing was introduced. They also conducted "windshield surveys" to assess the physical appearance of the supportive housing developments relative to
their neighborhoods.
The study, which combines quantitative and qualitative analysis, shows that contrary to conventional wisdom the presence of supportive housing does
not devalue surrounding property nor
is criminal behavior more evident in the neighborhoods studied than in similar areas of Denver. Price impact analysis showed a positive effect on house prices in the neighborhood of the group of
facilities analyzed. Neighboring properties experienced both an increase in the general level of prices and an upward trend in house prices compared with those not near such facilities. The researchers note, however, that these results were produced by a set of small-scale, special-care facilities, with no large sites, correctional facilities, or homeless shelters included. The crime impact analysis showed rates of violent crime, property crime, and criminal mischief reports were no different than for
"control" areas in Denver. There was, however, an increase in the number
of disorderly conduct (considered a
misdemeanor) reports in areas within
a 500-foot proximity of a supportive housing facility.
Interviews with key informants and neighbors indicated that:
- Wealthy neighborhoods tend to erect more effective barriers to development.
- The type of client is more likely to influence neighborhood reaction
than the client's race or ethnicity.
- Developers with good track records are given the benefit of the doubt when siting a new facility.
- Neighbors who perceive that their neighborhoods are "saturated" with supportive or subsidized housing
are more likely to oppose new
development.
The focus groups consistently emphasized elements of neighborhood quality of life that are relevant to supportive housing developers and policymakers: the neighborhood's physical condition, the presence of numerous or poorly kept rental properties, social cohesion, increased traffic, and public safety. The researchers noted that when supportive facilities operators effectively address these issues, the facility virtually becomes invisible to nearby homeowners as a major determinant of their neighborhood quality of life.
The Impacts of Supportive Housing on Neighborhoods and Neighbors: Final Report is available for $5 from HUD USER. Use the order form.
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