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IPR Seminar: Dr. Andrew Fenelon, Public Health, University of Maryland

Dr. Andrew Fenelon
October 16, 2018
12:30PM - 1:30PM
038 Townshend Hall, 1885 Neil Ave

Date Range
Add to Calendar 2018-10-16 12:30:00 2018-10-16 13:30:00 IPR Seminar: Dr. Andrew Fenelon, Public Health, University of Maryland Understanding the Impact of Housing Assistance Programs on Child Well-Being Housing assistance policies may lead to improved mental health for children and adolescents by improving housing quality, stability, and affordability. We use a unique data linkage of the National Health Interview Survey to administrative housing assistance records from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to examine the impact of housing assistance on parent-reported mental health outcomes for children ages 2-17 (N=1,967). We account for selection into housing assistance using a pseudo-waitlist method that compares children receiving assistance to those who will enter housing assistance within 2 years of their interview. Compared to those in the pseudo-waitlist group, we find that children living in public housing have better mental health outcomes. We do not find similar benefits for children receiving vouchers, despite the fact that vouchers result in reduced exposure to neighborhood disadvantage. Our results suggest that housing assistance policies can have a positive impact on mental health among disadvantaged children.  038 Townshend Hall, 1885 Neil Ave Institute for Population Research popcenter@osu.edu America/New_York public

Understanding the Impact of Housing Assistance Programs on Child Well-Being

 

Housing assistance policies may lead to improved mental health for children and adolescents by improving housing quality, stability, and affordability. We use a unique data linkage of the National Health Interview Survey to administrative housing assistance records from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to examine the impact of housing assistance on parent-reported mental health outcomes for children ages 2-17 (N=1,967). We account for selection into housing assistance using a pseudo-waitlist method that compares children receiving assistance to those who will enter housing assistance within 2 years of their interview. Compared to those in the pseudo-waitlist group, we find that children living in public housing have better mental health outcomes. We do not find similar benefits for children receiving vouchers, despite the fact that vouchers result in reduced exposure to neighborhood disadvantage. Our results suggest that housing assistance policies can have a positive impact on mental health among disadvantaged children.