Evidence Matters Inaugural Issue

The first issue of Evidence Matters: Transforming Knowledge into Housing and Community Development Policy (Winter 2011), organized around the theme of neighborhood revitalization, is now available. Introduced by Secretary Donovan, the goals of Evidence Matters “intersect directly with HUD’s mission — to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities, and quality homes for all.” Assistant Secretary Bostic provides context for the neighborhood revitalization discussion in this inaugural issue, which features articles that draw on research to discuss the effects of HOPE VI and how it informs the Choice Neighborhoods program, concentrated poverty, and community capacity building efforts. Each issue spotlights research in the field, practice in the field, and additional resources useful to housing policy stakeholders.

Highlights:

• HOPE VI has been effective at deconcentrating poverty and improving some resident outcomes, particularly for those moving to the private market and to mixed-income developments.
• A core challenge of neighborhood effects research is distinguishing the role of individual and family circumstances from the effect of the neighborhood itself.
• Successful community change requires broad community participation, careful planning that defines the community’s vision, and a well-designed evaluation framework.