New study from the Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation (PAHRC) looks at public housing employees' beliefs about equity, the steps they're taking to improve resident outcomes, and the barriers that prevent them from furthering equity initiatives.
CHESHIRE, Conn., March 30, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Public and Affordable Research Corporation (PAHRC) released new findings today showing that while more than four out of five public housing agencies (PHAs) surveyed have implemented a strategy to help clients achieve successful outcomes, only one in five reported having initiatives in place to increase equity among their residents. The study also found that most PHAs want to further their equity initiatives, but are constrained by limited resources.
The survey was conducted from March and June of 2022 and examined a cross section of 83 PHAs across the U.S. It looked at public housing employees' beliefs about equity, the steps they're taking to improve resident outcomes, and the barriers that prevent them from furthering equity initiatives. The study found that:
- More than 80% of PHAs employ strategies to help their residents achieve successful outcomes, such as developing new services and partnerships, recruiting and educating landlords, revising policies, and conducting staff training.
- More than half of PHAs believe that formerly incarcerated people and those who live with mental health challenges have a more difficult time achieving successful benchmarks than their peers who are not faced with these challenges.
- Stereotypes and a lack of supportive services were the most common reasons given for outcome disparities among marginalized groups.
- Two-thirds of PHAs evaluate differences among resident groups, but most evaluations are informal.
- Only 20% of PHAs have implemented a specific equity initiative.
- More than half of PHAs (54%) are interested in furthering their equity initiatives.
"PHAs recognize that strategies centering equity are an important driver of successful outcomes for their residents, but many lack the funding to move multiple resource-rich equity initiatives forward to everyone in need," said Kelly McElwain, MPP, lead research analyst for PAHRC. "To more effectively improve a broad range of outcomes, PHAs need additional funding from Congress so they can provide services that target underserved or marginalized groups, expand housing choice, and reach populations with greater barriers to upward mobility."
"Because of the important work they do, PHAs know better than most that people have different circumstances and that to thrive, they need the same opportunities as everyone else," said Ed Malaspina, president and chief executive officer of HAI Group, an insurance company founded by PHAs and a major sponsor of PAHRC. "PAHRC's new report offers important insight into the challenges that people who require housing assistance face, the equity initiatives that are underway at housing authorities across the country, and the barriers that limit PHAs from establishing or expanding critical initiatives. My hope is that housing organizations use the research to learn from each other and lobby to get the additional resources their residents need to achieve successful outcomes."
"CLPHA commends PAHRC's work on understanding the important role PHAs can play in improving equity outcomes for the households they serve," said Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Housing Authorities. "PAHRC's research shows that PHAs are committed to centering equity strategies in their operations and policies but a major obstacle is the availability of increased funding and expanded capacity building to undertake this critical work. CLPHA will continue to work with leading organizations such as PAHRC to raise the importance of developing and executing equity strategies and investing in PHA capacity building."
Download How Public Housing Authorities Are Addressing Equity.
Download the companion guide, PHA Policies and Practices That Promote Equity.
Sign up for PAHRC's webinar Promoting Equity at your Housing Organization on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 2pm to learn more about the report, resource guide, and how Boston Housing Authority is advancing equity at their organization.
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About The Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation (PAHRC)
The Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation delivers research, data, and tools to housing providers, policymakers, affordable housing advocates, and oth- - ers who are working to help families achieve the benefits of an affordable home or increase the supply of affordable housing. Based in Cheshire, Connecticut, PAHRC is dedicated to building an evidence-based case for why affordable housing matters. Visit https://www.pahrc.org.
Media Contact
Courtney Rice, Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation, 203-649-6553, [email protected]
SOURCE Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation
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