This is Part Two of our InForney Investigates series on Housing Vouchers. In Part One we examined how voucher programs work, which agencies are involved, and who is eligible to receive assistance. Today we look at the impact vouchers have on local crime levels.
This is Part Two of our InForney Investigates series on Housing Vouchers. In Part One we examined how voucher programs work, which agencies are involved, and who is eligible to receive assistance. Today we look at the impact vouchers have on local crime levels.
Studies Show Vouchers Are Not Linked to Increased Criminal Activity
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, a federal initiative designed to provide affordable housing to low-income families, has long been the subject of debate regarding its impact on crime rates. While some argue that subsidized housing increases crime, a growing body of research suggests that Section 8 tenants do not cause an increase crime and, in some cases, may even be associated with reductions in crime.
Studies Showing No Link Between Section 8 and Increased Crime
Several high-quality studies conducted by leading research institutions have found no evidence that Section 8 voucher holders contribute to an increase in crime.
NYU Study: Voucher Recipients Live In Lower Crime Areas
A 2011 study by Michael C. Lens, Ingrid Gould Ellen, and Katherine O’Regan at New York University examined crime rates in neighborhoods where Section 8 recipients lived compared to other low-income renters. The researchers found that voucher holders lived in areas with similar or lower crime rates than other low-income households. (NYU Furman Center)
Memphis Study: No Causal Link Between Vouchers and Crime
A 2012 study, Memphis Murder Mystery Revisited, conducted by NYU Furman Center researchers, analyzed crime trends following an influx of voucher holders. The study found no causal relationship between Section 8 recipients and rising crime rates. Instead, it suggested that high-crime areas tend to attract more voucher holders due to lower housing costs. (Furman Center)
Wisconsin Study: No Statistically Significant Impact in Crime Rates
Economists Ryan Gallagher and Robert J. Smith conducted a 2013 study analyzing crime trends in neighborhoods across Southeast Wisconsin. Their research found no statistically significant link between an increase in voucher recipients and crime rates.
UC Irvine Study: Affordable Housing Reduces Crime
A 2022 study by the University of California, Irvine, examined the effects of affordable housing in Orange County, California. Researchers found that affordable housing developments were linked to reduced crime rates and even an increase in surrounding property values. (UC Irvine Social Ecology)
Colgate University Analysis: Affordable Housing Policies Linked to Crime Reduction
A 2024 econometric analysis by a Colgate University researcher examined affordable housing policies, including the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). The study found that areas qualifying for LIHTC experienced decreases in both property and violent crime. (Colgate University)
Counterpoint- Some Studies Suggest Crime May Increase In Specific Situations Involving Vouchers
Houston Study: Increase in Arrests Among Voucher Recipients
A 2014 study by Jillian Carr examined Section 8 recipients in Houston, Texas, using a randomized lottery system. The study found that adults who received housing vouchers experienced a 95% increase in the likelihood of being arrested for violent offenses compared to those who did not receive vouchers. Male recipients, in particular, saw their chances of arrest more than double. (economics.nd.edu)
Concerns About Crime in Relocated Communities
Critics argue that relocating low-income individuals from inner-city public housing to suburban areas through Section 8 may transfer social challenges and crime to new neighborhoods. Some community leaders claim that previously low-crime areas have experienced increases in criminal activity following an influx of voucher recipients. (UCLA Blueprint)
Conclusion: Housing Choice Vouchers Do Not Appear To Raise Levels of Criminality Activity in Most Cases
In conclusion, multiple high-quality studies suggest that Section 8 vouchers do not contribute to increased crime, some research and public concerns indicate that the program may have unintended consequences in certain areas. Ultimately, the available data supports the conclusion that Housing Choice Vouchers are not a direct driver of crime.