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Government Assistance Protects Low‐Income Families from Eviction

Author

Listed:
  • Ian Lundberg
  • Sarah L. Gold
  • Louis Donnelly
  • Jeanne Brooks‐Gunn
  • Sara S. McLanahan

Abstract

A lack of affordable housing is a pressing issue for many low‐income American families and can lead to eviction from their homes. Housing assistance programs to address this problem include public housing and other assistance, including vouchers, through which a government agency offsets the cost of private market housing. This paper assesses whether the receipt of either category of assistance reduces the probability that a family will be evicted from their home in the subsequent six years. Because no randomized trial has assessed these effects, we use observational data and formalize the conditions under which a causal interpretation is warranted. Families living in public housing experience less eviction conditional on pre‐treatment variables. We argue that this evidence points toward a causal conclusion that assistance, particularly public housing, protects families from eviction.

Suggested Citation

  • Ian Lundberg & Sarah L. Gold & Louis Donnelly & Jeanne Brooks‐Gunn & Sara S. McLanahan, 2021. "Government Assistance Protects Low‐Income Families from Eviction," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 40(1), pages 107-127, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jpamgt:v:40:y:2021:i:1:p:107-127
    DOI: 10.1002/pam.22234
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    References listed on IDEAS

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