Using Near-Repeat Analysis To Measure the Concentration of Housing Choice Voucher Program Participants

Ron Wilson
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Public housing authorities (PHAs) are often concerned about housing voucher recipients’ reconcentrating after entering the Section 8 voucher program. I use a near-repeat analysis method in this analysis for Dallas, Texas, to test whether new voucher recipients concentrate and, if so, how quickly. The results reveal that new recipients do locate in close proximity to each other at a steady pace over time. PHAs can use this method and subsequent results to measure the progress of deconcentration plans and to help new housing voucher recipients make more informed choices about where to locate.