Under Construction
Creating mixed-income communities has become one promising policy response to the social
isolation and economic and public sector disinvestment that characterize high-poverty neighborhoods
in most urban areas. The objective is to attract residents with higher incomes while maintaining
affordable and public housing for lower income residents. It is hoped that, through this strategy,
housing developments and perhaps entire neighborhoods can be created that provide strong networks
to employment and other resources beyond the neighborhood, more effective demand for high quality
amenities and public services, and positive role models for youth.
Mixed-Income Development in Chicago: Case Studies
Description:
We know very little about the impact on
residents of living in a mixed-income development, or of how they differ from public housing
residents living in other housing circumstances. This research projects focuses on investigating
the strategies and effectiveness of strategies used to build community in mixed-income
developments, residents
' experiences in a mixed income development, and the impact of
mixed-income developments on residents
' lives.
Research grants
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur
Foundation
Jazz on the Boulevard Case Study
Description:
This research project is a long-term case
study of Jazz on the Boulevard, one of the first planned mixed-income developments being created as
part of the CHA
's 1999 Plan for Transformation. In-depth, qualitative
interviews of residents, service providers and developers, and a comparison group of individuals
describe what motivated residents to choose to live in a mixed-income development, their perception
of the neighborhood
's role in their lives, how the development effects social
capital, networks, and social organizations, and what roles various members of the community
play.
Research grants
Rockefeller
Foundation
Case Western Research University
Research Highlights
Highlight 1: Movers versus non-movers: Who are
they? [Hyperlink]
Highlight 2: The resident population at Jazz [Hyperlink]
Highlight 3: Understanding the choice to live at Jazz [Hyperlink]
Highlight 4: Resident perspectives on mixed-income development [Hyperlink]
Highlight 5: Early resident experiences: General satisfaction [Hyperlink]
Highlight 6: Early social relations at Jazz [Hyperlink]
Joseph, Mark. Early Resident Experiences at a New Mixed-Income Development in
Chicago. Journal of Urban Affairs. 30:3, 229-257 [Hyperlink]
Mixed-Income Development in Chicago:
Developer and Service Provider Perspectives
Description:
This research project is an investigation into
possibilities and challenges faced by development teams in transforming public housing into
mixed-income development communities.
Research grants
Rockefeller Foundation
Joseph, Mark. Forthcoming. Creating Mixed-Income Developments in Chicago: Developer
and Service Provider Perspectives. Housing Policy Debate.
Faith-Based Mentoring Demonstration Evaluation
Description:
The Federal Department of Housing and Urban
Development selected the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) as one of the three sites nationally to
implement a mentoring demonstration program. The goal of this program is to test a means of
providing additional support for public housing residents who have been relocated as part of a HOPE
VI redevelopment by partnering residents with mentors who are recruited through faith-based and
community-based organizations. This study seeks to determine the effectiveness of the program,
explore experiences of participants, and the perspectives of mentors and staff members of
participating institutions.
Research grants
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development/Chicago Housing Authority
