Homeownership and Local Voting in Disadvantaged Urban Neighborhoods

37 Pages Posted: 25 May 2012

See all articles by Kim Manturuk

Kim Manturuk

Center for Community Capitol

Mark R. Lindblad

Center for Responsible Lending

Roberto Quercia

University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill - Department of City and Regional Planning

Date Written: May 25, 2009

Abstract

Homeownership has long been considered the cornerstone of the American dream, and considerable research has pointed to the social benefits of homeownership for both families and communities. Yet research concerning this link between homeownership and social participation has recently undergone critique for failing to consider neighborhood context. Do homeowners in disadvantaged urban neighborhoods become active participants in neighborhood improvement, or do they feel stuck in undesirable neighborhoods where they perceive little potential for change? The research addresses endogeneity concerns and shows that, when compared to renters, homeowners are more likely to have voted in recent local elections. Neighborhood context does moderate these relationships, with homeowners in disadvantaged neighborhoods being more likely to vote than owners in other areas. These findings suggest that, despite potential household-level costs associated with owning a home in a disadvantaged urban area, responsible homeownership in such areas promotes local political involvement among lower-income residents.

Suggested Citation

Manturuk, Kim and Lindblad, Mark R. and Quercia, Roberto G., Homeownership and Local Voting in Disadvantaged Urban Neighborhoods (May 25, 2009). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2066796 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2066796

Kim Manturuk (Contact Author)

Center for Community Capitol ( email )

102 Ridge Road
Chapel Hill, NC NC 27514
United States

Mark R. Lindblad

Center for Responsible Lending ( email )

1330 Broadway, Suite 604
Oakland, CA 94612
United States

Roberto G. Quercia

University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill - Department of City and Regional Planning ( email )

New East Building
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3140
United States
919-962-4766 (Phone)
Not available (Fax)

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