Scapegoating Rent Control: Masking the Causes of Homelessness

Private rental housing markets in the united states

“…However, Tucker's statistical analysis was seriously flawed and has been criticized by analysts across the spectrum. See Tucker (1987Tucker ( , 1990, Appelbaum et al (1991), Lowry (1992), Quigley (1990), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (1991). 35 At this time rent stabilization was not in force, so there was a reasonably clear delineation between controlled and uncontrolled units.…”

Where the homeless come from: A study of the prior address distribution of families admitted to public shelters in New York City and Philadelphia

“…Most commonly, researchers have attempted to identify the socioeconomic factors that correspond to the spatial distribution of homelessness, using data on intercity homelessness rates as the dependent variable (Applebaum et al 1991(Applebaum et al , 1992Burt 1992;Elliot and Krivo 1991;Quigley 1991;Ringheim 1990;Tucker 1987). Based on this research, homelessness appears to vary by socioeconomic conditions, although specific study findings have been inconsistent.…”

“…While perhaps the most widely attainable proxy for the size of the homelessness problem across locales, point prevalence measures are difficult to obtain reliably from place to place. The HUD estimates (1984) used by Tucker (1987), Applebaum et al (1991), Elliot and Krivo (1991), and Quigley (1991) were based on a key informant survey in 60 cities. HUD officials asked field staff to report on the capacity of localities' emergency shelters and the estimated number of street homeless in their areas; thus, these estimates were not based on a systematic count.…”

“…Research on the structural factors associated with homelessness has used primarily intercity homelessness rates (point prevalence) as the dependent measure, attempting to identify the associated housing, population, income, and policy factors (Applebaum et al 1991(Applebaum et al , 1992Burt 1992;Elliot and Krivo 1991;Quigley 1991;Tucker 1987). This research has yielded significant though inconsistent results, particularly regarding many predicted housing and income variables.…”

Housing first, neighborhood second? : the role of housing and neighborhood characteristics on residential stability in two housing first projects.

“…Because rates of mental illness and substance abuse remain remained relatively consistent throughout this period (Burt 1992), some other forces are likely responsible for the growing prevalence of homelessness (Sommer 2001). Causes of homelessness that fall within this camp include such forces as unemployment and poverty, increasing wage gaps, the housing market, the general economy, social policies, and access to support services for persons suffering from mental illness and substance abuse disorders (Appelbaum et al 1991, Main 1998, Sommer 2001. According to Susser (1996), changes in the economy demonstrate their spatial manifestation through housing discrimination, gentrification, and urban development policies that have played a role in structuring the visibility of the poor.…”