Housing Policy & Reseach

Econometrica designs and executes research strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing housing programs and initiatives and measure the impact of changes in housing policies on targeted populations of interest to policymakers.

FAIR MARKET
RENTS

TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE

AUDITS
& REVIEW

HOUSING
& FINANCE

PROGRAM
SUPPORT

ASSET
REPOSITIONING

Our Expertise

PROGRAM EVALUATION

Econometrica conducted the first evaluation of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program to examine the opportunities RAD creates for Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to improve the physical and financial condition of public housing by converting to Section 8 assisted housing.

Econometrica is continues to evaluate the RAD program. One current study looks at the RAD Choice Mobility option on property outcomes, tenant outcomes, and the voucher program. A second study examines the long-term preservation and financial viability of RAD properties, and a third study evaluates asset management under RAD compared to the standard model of professional asset management.

Policy Implementation and Communication

Econometrica developed fact sheets, a guidebook, webinars, and a digital resource library that HUD made available to PHAs as resources they could use to implement HUD’s smoke-free policy for public housing. One fact sheet for PHA staff provided an implementation timeline for the new policy with a smoke-free policy checklist. Additional fact sheets, “Preparing for Your Smoke-Free Home” and “Information for Residents,” communicated guidance to public housing residents. Econometrica also developed a guidebook that serves as a comprehensive resource to assist PHAs in implementing smoke-free policies for their agency.

Based on these and other materials, Econometrica developed training and communication materials for PHA staff in support of the implementation of the smoke-free rule. These materials were used in webinars and made available in a digital resource library.

American Housing Survey (AHS)

Our support enables the government to provide timely and accurate updates to housing researchers and policymakers on a database of houses and households that is a widely recognized resource on the condition of housing in the United States. Econometrica has also prepared special analyses of AHS data, such as the following reports published by HUD:

- Characteristics of HUD-Assisted Renters and their Units (2015, 2017, and 2019).
- Components of Inventory Change and Rental Dynamics (National Report and Metro Reports for Detroit and Houston).

Highlights of Housing Policy & Research Projects

Evaluation of RAD

TASK: Developed and executed research strategies for collecting and analyzing administrative and survey data to assess the effectiveness of a program designed to stabilize and preserve affordable housing for low-income residents.

RESULTS: Five reports on the effect of the program on residents’ choice of housing options, the long-term viability of affordable housing projects, the management of affordable housing assets, the organization of affordable housing agencies, and the affordability of housing for residents.

Your Partner in Problem-Solving

The Housing & Finance Group encompasses multiple experts in a broad array of Federal agency housing programs and financing tools. Econometrica maintains a strong base of in-house expertise that can be augmented by contracted subject matter experts.