Homicide Patterns and Public Housing: The Case of Louisville, KY (1989-2007)

Abstract

This study examines the impact of the revitalization of low-income, public housing properties on homicide patterns. It tracks the movement of homicide clusters from the initial properties to those neighborhoods where public housing residents were displaced over a 19-year period in Louisville, Kentucky. The median-income level of residents and vacant housing emerged as important predictors of homicide clusters. This article concludes that low-income public housing and Section 8 housing properties provide an environment where homicides are likely to occur. This pattern remained in effect even when the nature of public housing changed.

Beyond anecdotal evidence: Do subsidized housing developments increase neighborhood crime?

“…Among numerous studies examining the associations between subsidized housing and crime, many researchers have also estimated the impacts of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program on neighborhood crime in recent years (Ellen et al, 2012;Mast & Wilson, 2013;Popkin et al, 2012;Suresh & Vito, 2009). However, surprisingly few studies have focused on the relationships between LIHTC developments and neighborhood crime.…”

American murder mystery revisited: do housing voucher households cause crime?

“…Housing Policy Debate 555 more relevant to our work, in their assessment of public housing demolition and patterns of homicide concentration, Suresh and Vito (2009) also consider the concentration of HCV holders. They find that homicides are clustered in neighborhoods that also house voucher recipients, however, this work is purely cross-sectional and descriptive.…”

The Impact of Housing Vouchers on Crime in US Cities and Suburbs

“…Galster et al (2003) found no impacts from dispersed public housing or supportive housing on crime rates in Denver. Suresh and Vito (2009) focused on the voucher program and examined the spatial concentration of homicides before and after efforts in Louisville, KY, to deconcentrate public housing, primarily through HOPE VI and vouchers. They found that homicides moved to the parts of the city where public housing and voucher tenants moved, although their analyses were cross-sectional rather than longitudinal.…”