Project: CITY OF FREDERICK HOPE VI EVALUATION

Sponsor: Housing Authority of the City of Frederick
Status: In process
IPS Staff: Joseph Harkness, Nina Castells, Teague Lyons, Anthony Quinn, Rachel Wright, and Amy Robie

Purpose and Approach
HOPE VI is a federal program that aims at putting a new face on public housing by replacing the most distressed projects with newer and more attractive housing. It also attempts to de-concentrate subsidized housing by promoting the development of additional housing at scattered sites.

This project is a five-year evaluation of Frederick, Maryland’s HOPE VI effort, which involves the demolition of 146 units in two public housing projects, and their replacement with 95 townhomes. An additional 200 affordable units will also be built throughout the city. Using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, the evaluation attempts to assess the impact of the re-development effort on the lives of former residents, the neighborhood, and the community. A major concern of the HOPE VI program is that the lives of former residents not be adversely impacted; to this end the program funds support services to help former residents achieve better employment and earnings.

Results
The project is entering its fourth year. The old public housing has been demolished, but delays have held up the new construction. The demolition appears to have had some positive spillover effect on neighborhood property values. Former residents of the projects, the majority of whom have relocated with assistance of rental vouchers, continue to report high levels of satisfaction with their current neighborhoods. They have also gained more education and more of them are working. Despite these signs of success, problems remain. A number of former residents report serious
health problems, with 85 percent of respondents to a recent survey reporting at least one serious health condition and 60 percent listing more than one. Most prevalent conditions are arthritis or rheumatism, high blood pressure or hypertension, and chronic back or neck pain. Children’s health is also poor, with 69 percent of parents reporting at least one serious condition, with the most frequently mentioned being speech impairment or delay, hyperactivity or ADD/ ADHD, asthma, and learning disabilities.

Publications
Harkness, J. (2004, 2005, 2006). “Evaluation of Housing Authority of the City of Frederick Hope VI Project: Baseline and Years 2 and 3.” Reports to the Housing Authority of Frederick.