Strategies That Enhance Community Relations in the Tenant-Based Housing Choice Voucher Programs

Author(s): Holin, Mary Joel     Churchill, Sarah     Turnham, Jennifer     Khadduri, Jill    

The goal of the study was to provide HUD with a thorough understanding of the conditions that precipitate local opposition to the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP—in this publication, the term “HCVP” is used to describe the concept historically described as “Section 8”) and the strategies that are effective in mitigating potential or real conflicts. A team of senior housing professionals with extensive HCVP experience was assembled to research eight situations around the country where communities have faced local opposition to tenant-based HCVPs.

This research offers some valuable lessons regarding the conditions that precipitate HCVP conflicts and the strategies that are effective in mitigating them. Although the number of study sites was limited, the data collected provide a good illustration of the kinds of neighborhoods that may be vulnerable to HCVP controversy; the kinds of issues over which controversy can arise; common housing authority reactions to community opposition; and effective approaches to improving community relations over the long-term.

Publication Categories: Publications     Affordable Housing     Public and Assisted Housing     Housing Choice Vouchers/Section 8 & Project-Based Section 8