ABSTRACT

Affordable housing is a critical resource with serious ramifications for a range of outcomes for low-income households. However, low-income prospective tenants are often denied subsidized housing through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on the basis of factors directly or indirectly related to their poverty and racialized identities. This study assesses how the admissions policies of public housing authorities and Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance developments in Rhode Island define criteria for denial on the basis of applicants’ criminal legal history, alcohol use, landlord history, and credit history. Three key findings emerge from this study that highlight the endemic nature of housing exclusion and elucidate how it is enacted. First, the plans include grounds for denial that far exceed the HUD-mandated criteria and utilize long lookback periods. Second, plans lack clarity and transparency. Third, admissions criteria vary significantly by development characteristics. Policy interventions include increased oversight and transparency and advocacy for inclusionary language.

摘要

经济适用房是一项重要资源，会对低收入家庭的一系列结果产生严重影响。然而，美国住房和城市发展部 (HUD) 经常因与贫困和种族身份直接或间接相关的因素而拒绝向低收入潜在租户提供补贴住房。本研究评估了罗德岛州公共住房当局的准入政策和第 8 条基于项目的租赁援助发展如何根据申请人的犯罪历史、酗酒情况、房东历史和信用记录来定义拒绝标准。这项研究得出了三个关键发现，强调了住房排斥的普遍性，并阐明了它是如何实施的。第一的，该计划包含的拒绝理由远远超出了 HUD 规定的标准，并利用了较长的回顾期。其次，计划缺乏明确性和透明度。第三，根据发展特点，录取标准差异很大。政策干预措施包括加强监督和透明度以及倡导包容性语言。