Spatial and Socio Economic Distribution of Available Section 8

Housing

Image Source: Property Manager Website - http://www.propertymanager.com

Presentation by Clarine Lacroux, February 13 ,2012

Background on Section 8 Vouchers

Section 8 housing – also known as the “Housing Choice Voucher” (CV)- is the largest housing assistance program to date.

Local housing authorities find housing on the private market that have conceded to the voucher program.

Eligible recipients are given a housing subsidy to cover the difference between 30% of the recipient's income and a payment standard set by the local housing authority (usually fair market rate)

In theory the voucher program seeks to provide greater housing choices, opportunities for geographic mobility and economic and racial integration.

Distribution of Available Section 8 Rentals in the City of LA

Maps Created by Clarine Lacroux Data Source: Census 2000,HACLA

Proximity to Public Housing and density

Maps Created by Clarine Lacroux Data Source: Census 2000, HACLA

Median Income and Population living below the Poverty Level

Maps Created by Clarine Lacroux Data Source: Census 2000, HACLA

Racial Integration

Maps Created by Clarine Lacroux Data Source: Census 2000, HACLA

Additional themes of analysis

Analyze the spatial distribution of Section 8 housing mediated by other service providers, such as Non Profit Organizations.

Does subsidized rental housing depress neighborhood property values?

Identify suburbanization patterns amongst Section 8 voucher recipients.

Image Source: How Stuff Works Website - http://www.home.howstuffworks.com

Image Source: US Affordable HousingInstitute. Website- http://www.affordablehousinginstitute.org

Skills

Spatial Distribution of Section 8 housing: Skills: Inset Map of Southern California and Geocoding of available section 8 housing in the City of Los Angeles.

Median Income and population below poverty line: Skills: custom shapefile Proximity to public housing and density: Skills: custom shapefile Racial Integration: Skills: % families below poverty line derived by

querying (pov_buff)/(fam_buff)*100 and exporting data to a new layer. Point graduated symbol for % families below . Buffer creation of 1 mile radii around section 8 housing. Aggregating attribute fields derived: positive integration : Whites > or = African American +American Indian + Asian + America Hawaian + other, negative integration: whites<African American + American Indian + Asian + America Hawaian+ other