Limited Exposure: The Importance of Activities and Services for Children on Housing Mobility and Neighborhood Effects

Anita Zuberi, Northwestern University

Housing mobility programs attempt to move poor families from concentrated poverty into affluent neighborhoods so that they will benefit from the employment opportunities, social networks and higher quality schools and services available in these new areas. Many families move back, or “regress” to higher poverty neighborhoods, therefore limiting the exposure necessary for neighborhood effects. Using qualitative data from the Gautreaux Two housing mobility program, I follow participants who moved, looking at what programs and activities poor families use for their children. I explore whether there are differences in access to or participation in activities between public housing and low-poverty neighborhoods; and look for differences among families who make subsequent moves. Preliminary analysis shows that many families have children participate in activities and programs in public housing communities, but also express concern about safety and quality. In affluent neighborhoods, some mothers report more activities while others having trouble accessing activities.