Social Disorganization, Crime, and Displacement: An Evaluation of HOPE VI in Lexington, Kentucky

<p>Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere (HOPE VI) was designed to alleviate problems related to severely distressed public housing. Past research has shown both positive and negative outcomes for residents that have been displaced by HOPE VI. This study sought to provide more understanding into the types of places where HOPE VI residents moved as a result of their displacement in Lexington, Kentucky. Using variables constructed from census, housing, and crime data, this study attempted to determine if the presence of displaced HOPE VI residents could predict higher levels of social disorganization. It was hypothesized that areas where HOPE VI residents chose to move would be significantly more likely to be disadvantaged in terms of crime, family structure, housing, and affluence. Poisson-based regression models indicated that the presence of displaced HOPE VI residents significantly predicted the likelihood of a neighborhood having high rates of crime, family disruption, and disadvantaged housing. Additional exploratory analyses showed that areas where HOPE VI residents moved have experienced increases in reported crime. It is unclear if these exploratory results are due to the displaced residents, or if additional factors are influencing this change. Based on the results of this study, it was argued that existing research materials, like the data used in this study, should be more effectively used to guide the relocation process of the residents.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Justice Studies

Grantor dc:publisher

Eastern Kentucky University

Year

2009

Author dc:creator

• Jones, Rodrick W.

• crime
• city planning
• public housing
• kentucky
• Criminology and Criminal Justice

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2009 Rodrick W. Jones II

Repository record dc:identifier

https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/94

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:encompass.eku.edu:etd-1093