Scarcity, Boundedness, and Discretion: A Mixed-Methods Effort to Identify Administrative Burdens in Public Housing

Weston Merrick
University of Minnesota

Public housing residents often face administrative burdens that contribute to housing insecurity. This article investigates how these burdens are compounded by poverty and cognitive scarcity, making even straightforward tasks—such as responding to warning notices—overwhelming. The inability to overcome these procedural hurdles is often perceived by frontline workers as laziness or avarice, making those bureaucrats less willing to help. The result is a cycle of scarcity, boundedness, and discretion that can lead to perpetual, avoidable negative outcomes, such as evictions. This dilemma, however, is not a foregone conclusion, as multiple avenues for intervention often exist, depending on organizational arrangements. Using a mixed-methods approach, the author maps the experiences of residents and frontline workers, identifying key points for intervention. Drawing from behavioral science, psychology, public administration, and design science literature, this article contributes to academic theory and practical solutions, offering a broader, scalable framework for reducing procedural barriers in public housing and other public programs. The findings call for a more applied, multidisciplinary approach to understanding and intervening in the complex interactions between residents, frontline workers, and organizational structures.