Rethinking homeownership : why alternative tenure strategies are needed to stabilize neighborhoods in Lawrence, MA

This research is designed to examine the potential mismatch between neighborhood stabilization plans and resources with the unique needs of smaller post-industrial cities in the United States. Given the distinct demographic, economic and physical characteristics of smaller, postindustrial cities, I rely on Lawrence, MA as a case study to examine housing tenure and homeownership strategies-particularly within the current economic climate and foreclosure crisis. The primary goal of this thesis is to combine first-hand observations with quantitative analysis in order to address the question: is increasing homeownership an appropriate and feasible goal for cities with high concentrations of poverty and a prevalence of multi-family housing stock? If not, what alternative housing strategies and policy approaches are needed in order to stabilize distressed neighborhoods and improve quality of living? Consistent with Lawrence's growing challenge with foreclosures and research on low-income homeownership, the findings of this thesis demonstrate that focusing on homeownership strategies in Lawrence and other smaller, post-industrial cities may not lead to more stable neighborhoods. To the contrary, due to localized concentrations of poverty and multi-family housing stock, homeownership strategies serve to put low-income households at greater risk while neglecting the needs of the most distressed neighborhoods altogether.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Sparks, Holly Jo

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Lynn M. Fisher.

• Urban Studies and Planning.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/58381

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/58381